A US hospital has sparked controversy after refusing to put a 12-year-old girl on the heart transplant list due to her unvaccinated status. The girl, Adaline, was born with two heart conditions and had been receiving treatment at Cincinnati Children’s for almost 10 years.
Cincinnati Children’s issued a statement saying organ transplants are complicated and hearts available for transplants are rare. The hospital emphasized the importance of vaccines in preventing life-threatening infections, especially in the first year after transplant. Adaline’s parents, who are nondenominational Christians, claimed that the hospital refused to honor their religious exemption.
The hospital stated that its responsibility is to ensure successful outcomes for children in need and that discussion with providers and family members is necessary when making decisions about vaccines. Experts say vaccines are crucial for transplant recipients due to their increased risk of infections.
In a surprising twist, Adaline’s doctor initially told her parents that the two recommended vaccinations would be required before being placed on the transplant list. The hospital ultimately decided not to honor the exemption, sparking criticism and concern from the family.
Source: https://eu.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/13/what-did-childrens-hospital-say-about-the-controversy-over-vaccines/78511635007