Boston Hospital Refuses Unvaccinated Man a Heart Transplant

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A Boston Hospital refused 31-year-old D.J. Ferguson a heart transplant because of his vaccination status. Credit: Ferguson family

A Boston hospital refused 31-year-old D.J. Ferguson a heart transplant because he refused COVID-19 vaccination.

Since November of last year, D.J. Ferguson has undergone several treatments for a hereditary heart condition that fills his lungs with blood and fluid. The 31-year-old is currently hospitalized at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. According to his family’s fundraising appeal, the father of two is suffering from deteriorating heart failure and his only hope is a heart transplant. However, the family claims that the Boston hospital recently denied him a heart transplant based on his vaccination status. They further stated that he was initially first on the list, but is now no longer eligible because of his refusal to get a shot.

Although Brigham and Women’s Hospital has not yet commented on the claim, they have released a statement regarding COVID-19 vaccination for transplant patients. In the statement, the hospital has outlined its transplant program’s policy. According to the hospital, their guidelines are in accordance with those recommended by the American Society of Transplantation, American Society of Transplant Surgeons and International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

They further denied the family’s claim of being ‘first on the list’, indicating there is no such thing. The Boston hospital stated that a patients waitlist placement is dependent on several donor and patient-related factors. Moreover, patients must fulfil several criteria including the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Given the shortage of available organs, we do everything we can to ensure that a patient who receives a transplanted organ has the greatest chance of survival.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

‘His Body, His Choice,’ says Father

Ferguson’s family has supported his anti-vaccination status. According to the fundraiser, he has received several vaccinations in the past. However, since the COVID-19 vaccines can cause inflammation of the heart, Ferguson has steered clear of them for his safety.

Along with a COVID-19 vaccine, the Boston hospital also requires other immunizations such as a flu shot and hepatitis B vaccine for heart transplant patients. According to the statement, transplant patients are at a much higher risk of infections and death than non-transplant patients. Since unvaccinated individuals are more vulnerable to diseases, the guidance is designed to increase patients’ survival post-transplant.

For this reason, experts recommend COVID-19 vaccination before organ transplantation to lower the chance of severe disease and death if a recipient becomes infected.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Typically, patients refused a transplant may consult other hospitals. However, Ferguson’s family claims he is too weak to be moved anywhere else. Ferguson currently has an emergency heart pump in place. It will mechanically pump his heart till he receives a transplant.

Source: Brigham and Women’s Hospital

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