The medical community finds itself at the center of a heated debate as a distant relative to Vice President JD Vance faces denial from a heart transplant list. As hospitals aim to protect vulnerable transplant recipients, the decision has sparked outrage among those who view it as an infringement on religious freedoms. Are there alternative solutions for unvaccinated patients seeking organ transplants?
The Heart of the Matter: Adaline’s Story
Adaline Deal, a 12-year-old girl from Indiana, has been denied a spot on a heart transplant list by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital due to her unvaccinated status against COVID-19 and the flu. Born with two rare heart conditions, Ebstein’s anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Adaline’s need for a future transplant is critical.
Adopted from China at age 4, Adaline has been under the care of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for nearly a decade. The hospital’s policy requires transplant patients to be vaccinated, a requirement her family was unable to meet due to their religious beliefs.
🇺🇸 12-YEAR-OLD RELATIVE OF JD VANCE DENIED HEART TRANSPLANT OVER VACCINE STATUS
A 12-year-old Indiana girl, Adaline Deal, has been denied a heart transplant by Cincinnati Children's Hospital because she is unvaccinated against COVID and flu.
Adaline, a distant relative of VP JD… pic.twitter.com/cD82FsuG3Q
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 13, 2025
Medical Necessity vs. Personal Beliefs
Vaccinations are strongly recommended for transplant recipients due to their increased vulnerability to infections post-surgery. Dr. Camille Kotton, an infectious disease specialist, emphasized the high risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 for transplant patients.
Adaline’s parents, who are nondenominational Christians, believe vaccines are unsafe and decided against vaccinating her based on their religious convictions. This stance has put them at odds with the hospital’s medical recommendations and policies.
JD Vance’s 12-year-old relative denied heart transplant because she is unvaccinated for Covid-19 & the flu.
Adaline Deal, 12, needs a heart transplant surgery. Her mother says Cincinnati Children's won't put her on the transplant list because of her vaccination status. pic.twitter.com/OMpnVbNMpw
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) February 13, 2025
Seeking Alternatives and Support
In response to the hospital’s decision, Adaline’s parents are now seeking a different transplant center that does not require vaccination. This search highlights the challenges faced by families navigating complex medical decisions while adhering to their personal beliefs.
A GoFundMe campaign for Adaline’s transplant has gained significant traction, raising over $50,000. This outpouring of support demonstrates the public’s engagement with the ethical dilemma at hand and the desire to help families in similar situations.
