Cincinnati Children’s Hospital refuses a heart transplant for 12-year-old Adaline Deal due to her family’s refusal of coronavirus and flu vaccinations, spotlighting the clash between medical policy and personal beliefs.
Quick Takes
- Adaline Deal, aged 12, denied transplant eligibility due to her unvaccinated status, as per hospital policy.
- Adaline suffers from two rare heart conditions and was adopted from China at age 4.
- The hospital cites the necessity of vaccinations for transplant safety, rejecting religious exemption.
- The family is fundraising to find a transplant center with more flexible vaccination requirements.
A Heartbreaking Dilemma
Adaline Deal, a 12-year-old girl from Indiana, finds herself in dire need of a heart transplant but is caught in a policy stand-off. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital implemented strict vaccination requirements for transplant candidates, denying her the life-saving procedure. Adaline’s family opposes the coronavirus and flu vaccines on religious grounds, preventing her from qualifying for the transplant list.
Adaline, who suffers from Ebstein’s anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, faces growing health challenges. Her condition remains untreated as the family navigates this healthcare crisis. Hospital policy aligns with nationwide medical standards requiring transplant patients to receive vaccinations, emphasizing the vulnerability of recipients to infections.
Navigating Complex Healthcare Policies
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital maintains its stance on vaccinations, prioritizing both patient safety and broader public health concerns. The institution cited data and best practices supporting the benefit of vaccinated transplant recipients. However, Janeen Deal, Adaline’s mother, countered the necessity of vaccinating her daughter based on her belief that vaccines are unsafe.
“I thought, wow. So, it’s not about the kid. It’s not about saving her life.” – Janeen Deal
The stalemate has provoked public discussion about healthcare access and the role of personal beliefs. Advocacy groups have amplified the family’s call for policy exemptions, especially considering the child’s urgent medical needs. The situation also prompted support from public figures and various health freedom organizations.
Exploring Alternative Solutions
As Cincinnati Children’s Hospital stands firm, the Deal family looks to alternative medical institutions and options. Boston Children’s Hospital emerged as a potential candidate for Adaline’s procedure on the condition that Cincinnati releases her. Meanwhile, fundraising initiatives have gained momentum, accumulating over $50,000 to explore treatment options that accommodate their beliefs.
“We’re just buying time here. I’m just hoping we have time.” – Deal
State representatives are advocating for Ohio House Bill 319, known as the Conscientious Right to Refuse Act. The proposed legislation aims to prevent service denial based on vaccine refusal. With passionate backing, the bill seeks to safeguard personal choice in medical decisions, though time may not be on Adaline’s side. Her family remains hopeful to ensure that she obtains the care she urgently needs.
Sources
1. Ohio Hospital Denies New Heart for 12-Year-Old Relative of Vance, Says Family
2. JD Vance’s 12-year-old relative denied heart transplant because she is unvaccinated
