A Tri-State family is seeking alternative care for their 12-year-old daughter, Adaline, after being denied a heart transplant at Cincinnati Children’s due to her vaccination status. Adaline has Ebstein’s anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, two serious heart conditions that require the transplant.
The Deals, who adopted Adaline from China, have chosen not to vaccinate their children due to their non-denominational faith. However, Cincinnati Children’s requires patients to be vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. When Jeneen Deal contacted the hospital for help with a religious exemption, she was told that the policy would not be changed and that they were “more than welcome” to find another hospital.
The family is considering alternative options, including a Pittsburgh hospital, and has time before Adaline’s next transplant procedure. Cincinnati Children’s claims its decisions are guided by science, research, and best practices, but Jeneen expresses frustration with the hospital’s stance on vaccinations.
Source: https://www.fox19.com/2025/02/11/childrens-hospital-denies-girl-spot-transplant-list-due-vaccine-status