Twelve-Year-Old Facing Heart Failure As Parents Refuse Required Vaccines For Organ And Tissue Transplant

Twelve-year-old Adeline, a happy and energetic child, is facing severe heart failure. Despite her developmental delays, she understands the gravity of her situation, saying she feels tired and recognizing that her heart is “getting sick.” Doctors have explained that her condition cannot be remedied, but it can be addressed through the organ donor network by replacing her failing heart. Her parents have been working with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, which recently walked them through the heart transplant process.

However, the hospital also informed them of required vaccinations, including flu and COVID shots, before placing Adeline on the transplant list. Adeline’s parents cite their religious beliefs and personal research as grounds for rejecting these vaccines. They questioned the policy, asking if their child would be denied a lifesaving transplant due to their refusal of the vaccinations. Cincinnati Children’s offered a statement saying that clinical decisions are “guided by science, research, and best practices,” while the American Society of Transplant Surgeons similarly supports routine vaccination for transplant recipients.

Adeline’s parents note that others might call them irresponsible, but they maintain they are following their conscience. They assert that no procedure should be forced on them and that it is their right to make decisions about their daughter’s healthcare. They emphasize their concern for her well-being but remain unwilling to comply with the vaccination requirement.

First published 2025-02-13 00:00:23