Coronavirus: Toddler denied treatment in Germany because parents are unvaccinated (Updated)

A three-year-old boy, who is hospitalised with serious heart disease in Makarios hospital in Nicosia, was denied treatment abroad because his parents are unvaccinated, it was reported on Thursday.

Following arrangements by the health ministry, the child was supposed to be transferred by air ambulance for an operation to a specialised hospital in Germany early in the morning.

However, the hospital abroad cancelled the procedure, insisting they cannot accept his parents unless they are vaccinated.

Commenting on the case later in the day, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said he was “saddened” that the child was being denied treatment because his parents were unvaccinated.

He added that the health ministry respected the measures implemented in other countries and assured they took all the necessary actions that they could have taken in the case.

Attempts made to have the child accompanied by a third party who is vaccinated, failed since children must be accompanied by their guardians in such cases.

Efforts were also made to transport the child to other EU countries as well as Israel, but the hospital there also insisted the parents should be vaccinated.

According to the head of the Makarios hospital’s paediatrics clinic Dr Avraam Elia, the child’s condition is currently stable.

“We will not let the child’s life be endangered,” he said.

“It is possible the situation could be assessed by a cardiac surgeon so that the operation can be done in Cyprus.”