A US hospital has refused a heart transplant to a man because he has not received the Covid 19 vaccination.

DJ Ferguson, 31, is suffering from a hereditary heart issue and has been described as’ fighting for his life’ after being denied a heart transplant by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the US.

The father of two was reportedly ‘front of the line’ to receive a transplant but has been told he is no longer eligible because he has chosen not to receive the Covid jab.

His father, David Ferguson, told WBZ: “It’s his body. It’s his choice.”

“It’s kind of against his basic principles; he doesn’t believe in it. It’s a policy they are enforcing and because he won’t get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant.

“My son has gone to the edge of death to stick to his guns, and he’s been pushed to the limit.

“I think my boy is fighting pretty courageously and he has integrity and principles he really believes in and that makes me respect him all the more.”

In a statement, Brigham and Women’s Hospital said: “There are currently more than 100,000 candidates on waitlists for organ transplantation and a shortage of available organs.

“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.

“Like most other transplant programs across the country, the Covid 19 vaccine is one of several vaccines and lifestyles behaviours that are required for patients awaiting solid organ transplant.

“We follow this guidance in order to create both the best chance for a successful operation and also the patients disease-free survival, given that their immune system is suppressed after transplant.

“Research has shown that transplant recipients are at a higher risk of dying from Covid 10 when compared to non- transplant patients. For this reason, experts recommend Covid 19 vaccination before organ transplantation.”

On a GoFundMe fundraiser, Mr Ferguson’s family have said: “Despite the decision of the transplant board, he is in the best place possible. His nurses and doctors have been nothing but compassionate and amazing to him.

“Please keep him in your thoughts. We are all rooting for you. You’ve got this.”