The family of a California mother-of-three with MS who died of COVID is suing health care company Kaiser Permanente after doctors refused to give her the vaccine despite her asking for the jab multiple times.
The grieving family of 45-year-old Nerissa Regnier, who died on December 16, including husband, Devin Regnier, and her three children, ages 14, 16 and 29, announced they are filing a wrongful death suit against a Kaiser Permanente hospital for refusing the Mission Viejo mom the vaccine and then denying her monoclonal antibody treatment after she became infected, ABC 7 News reported.
Family attorney Annee Della Donna said that last February, Regnier was placed on a new regimen of medication for the autoimmune disease Multiple Sclerosis, a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves.
When she asked her doctors about getting one of the three available COVID-19 vaccines, she was told it was not an option for her because it contained a 'live virus,' which is not true.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dispels the myth that there is a live virus in any of the available COVID-19 vaccines.
'None of the vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. contain a live virus. mRNA and viral vector vaccines are the two types of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines available,' the public health agency said.
Attorneys say Regnier asked for the vaccine seven times over the next six months but was told each time she could not receive a 'live' vaccine.
Della Donna said Kaiser Permanente mistreated her, giving her antibiotics and steroids and even denied her monoclonal antibody treatment.
The family of Nerissa Regnier, 45, (pictured) who died on December 16 from Covid-19, announced they are filing a wrongful death suit against Kaiser Permanente
Regnier's family (pictured) gathered together for a conference to announce the impending suit to warn that people with compromised immune systems should get vaccinated
Attorney Annee Della Donna (pictured) said Kaiser Permanente mistreated Regnier, giving her antibiotics and steroids and even denied her monoclonal antibody treatment
'When you're immunocompromised, you need the COVID-19 vaccine,' Della Donna said.
'They keep telling her no, no, no,' Della Donna said.
In August, Regnier contacted her neurologist who told her she needed to be vaccinated, but by then it was too late.
'Two days later she runs over to Kaiser to get the COVID vaccine and she's feeling symptoms so they test her and she's got COVID,' Della Donna said.
When her husband took her to nearby Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, she was told it was too late for the treatment, attorney Eric Dubin said.
The Covid-positive mother-of-three was stabilized at Hoag and then taken back to Kaiser, where she later died, Della Donna said.
'Twice, this husband relied on Kaiser for medical guidance and twice they failed him,' Dubin said. 'It's a devastating case.'
Regnier was described as a 'healthy mom' who lived a normal life and kept her MS under control with two infusions of medicine a year.
The family gathered together on Wednesday for a conference to announce the impending suit to spread the word that even people with compromised immune systems should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
'This is a public service announcement. If you're told you shouldn't get the vaccine because it's a live vaccine that's just flat-out wrong,' Della Donna said.
'And everybody whose immune system is down needs to get the vaccine. That's why we're doing this. We don't want this poor woman's life to be taken in vain.'
Attorneys say Regnier (pictured) asked for the vaccine seven times over the next six months but was told each time she could not receive a 'live' vaccine
Regnier was described as a 'healthy mom' who lived a normal life and kept her MS under control with two infusions of medicine a year
In a statement Kaiser Permanente said they can not comment on the specifics of Regnier's case but that doctors provide patients with the best available treatment
The national MS society recommends patients with MS be vaccinated against COVID-19.
'The science has shown us that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Like other medical decisions, the decision to get a vaccine is best made in partnership with your healthcare provider. Most people with relapsing and progressive forms of MS should be vaccinated. The risks of COVID-19 outweigh any potential risks from the vaccine,' the nonprofit said.
In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said they can not comment on the specifics of Regnier's case but that doctors provide patients with the best available treatment.
'Treatments for COVID-19 continue to rapidly evolve, and in consultation with each patient, we prescribe care that is intended to provide the best clinical outcomes based on current knowledge and their individual needs,' the hospital said.
'Additionally, we have clearly communicated to our members, patients and the public that none of the available COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus and that they are safe and effective,' the statement added.
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