Unvaxxed patients get new lungs
La Presse has discovered that three unvaccinated Covid patients at the CHUM have been given double lung transplants after the virus ravaged their own. The ethical dilemma is front and centre in this piece.
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Kate
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Meezly 10:47 on 2022-01-25 Permalink
If they recover, they could show their gratitude by becoming voluntary advocates for vaccinations.
jeather 10:48 on 2022-01-25 Permalink
I didn’t realise we had such a wealth of lungs for transplant. But we don’t, for instance, refuse lungs to people who have smoked if they quit; similarly, these people have since been vaccinated.
The article seems to imply some were not unvaccinated but only had one dose (one is described as unvaccinated, but the term ‘not adequately vaccinated’ is what is used for just one dose), and they got covid 6-8 months ago. As open 2nd doses for <45 started in early July, I'd like more clarity on the other 2.
Clément 13:45 on 2022-01-25 Permalink
I guess there’s a difference between “was not vaccinated” vs “refuses to get vaccinated”.
A related article from the US this morning (relayed by Richard Hétu): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brigham-and-womens-hospital-boston-refusing-heart-transplant-man-wont-get-vaccinated/. Their argument is about “lifestyle behaviour”.
Blork 14:50 on 2022-01-25 Permalink
That’s the same principle as refusing a liver transplant to someone who refuses to stop drinking alcohol.
It’s not the same as the lung transplant issue here, because none of those people were anti-vaxxers, and they have all since been vaxxed, so the risk of being a “wasted transplant” is no different from any other transplant recipient.
This guy in the US (and people who need liver transplants but won’t stop drinking) ARE essentially throwing away their transplants by putting themselves at extraordinary risk of premature death.
It’s not like transplant organs are in abundant supply and we can afford to waste any on people that will not mitigate their risk of dying prematurely.