A 31-year-old patient is in critical condition after being denied a heart transplant he was scheduled for because he did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The family of the patient says that he desperately needs a heart transplant. The hospital says that it has a policy to treat patients who have been vaccinated. Since the patient has refused to get vaccinated, they cannot perform the surgery.
The transplant organs are very scarce, and they do not want to distribute them to individuals who risk dying. The hospital will distribute them to other people who have been vaccinated and stand a better chance to live.
DJ refused to get the shot because he did not believe in it, which was against his principles. Most organ transplant programs in the U.S require that one be vaccinated to get the transplant.
According to the hospital, people who have been vaccinated will make the operation more successful and stand a better chance of surviving after the transplant.
“The flu could kill you; a cold could kill you, COVID could kill you,” Dr. Arthur Caplan said.
DJ remains at the hospital as the family is unsure of what to do. The family intends to transfer him although he is too weak to move. “We are running out of time,” DJ’s son said.
The family is grateful for the nurses and the doctors’ excellent care, but they differ with the policy.
According to the family, they will not force him to take the COVID-19 shot because he can make decisions. It’s his choice,” Ferguson said.
The family has chosen to stick by his side and hopes for the best.
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