Vice President JD Vance has stepped in to support his 12-year-old relative, Adaline Deal, after learning she was denied placement on a heart transplant list because she is unvaccinated against COVID-19.
Adaline, who has a rare congenital heart defect, urgently requires a transplant to improve her circulation and prevent sudden heart failure. However, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio has refused to place her on the waiting list, citing the hospital’s policy requiring transplant patients to be fully vaccinated due to the use of immunosuppressant drugs that increase vulnerability to infections.
Hospital Policy and Family’s Struggle for Medical Access
Cincinnati Children’s maintains that their vaccination requirement is essential for transplant patients, as the drugs used post-surgery suppress the immune system, leaving recipients at high risk for infections.
Adaline’s mother, Jeneen Deal, whose son is married to Vance’s half-sister, has publicly appealed for help, fearing time is running out for her daughter.
In an interview with DailyMail.com, Vance expressed his concern and commitment to addressing the situation:
“We just found out about this a couple of days ago. I know it’s been circulating on social media, but I was made aware recently, and we’re working to assist in any way possible. While it is a distant family connection, this is someone I care about.”
Jeneen hopes Vance’s intervention will draw greater attention to the issue and bolster support for a Congressional bill that seeks to prohibit hospitals from denying transplants based on COVID-19 vaccination status.
Religious Beliefs and Vaccine Concerns
Jeneen insists she is not seeking preferential treatment, but rather advocating for the right of all patients to receive life-saving care, regardless of vaccination status.
“I pray that President Trump and all states will stand up for those facing discrimination due to their conscientious and religious beliefs regarding vaccination.”
Adaline received some childhood vaccinations before and during her adoption from China, but her parents have since refused additional vaccines, including the COVID-19 and flu shots, due to their Christian faith.
“We walk with the Lord. The Holy Spirit guides us. Our faith is stronger now than it was before, and that has influenced our decisions,” Jeneen explained.
Adaline’s Condition and Urgency for a Transplant
Adaline has Ebstein’s anomaly, a congenital heart defect that affects valve function and blood circulation, and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which causes rapid heart rhythms.
While she is currently stable, her condition could deteriorate suddenly. The average life expectancy for individuals with her condition is around 37 years, though many face a heightened risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest.
A recent improvement in her health, thanks to Lasix, a medication that reduced excess fluid around her heart, has allowed her to return to school full-time.
“She loves people, and she’s been thrilled by the gifts and support she’s received in the mail—it means so much to her,” Jeneen shared.
Searching for Alternative Hospitals
One of Adaline’s doctors has approved her for a transplant without requiring the vaccine, but the hospital’s transplant board requires multiple approvals—a hurdle her mother is actively working to overcome.
Since Cincinnati Children’s has not altered its policy, the family is now exploring other hospitals that may be willing to perform the transplant without requiring COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
For now, Adaline remains in limbo, awaiting a life-saving transplant that remains just out of reach.