Celeste Hopkins v. HHS - tetanus, vasopressor syncope secondary to bradycardia (2004)

Celeste Hopkins received a tetanus vaccination on April 9, 2002. Sixteen hours later, she experienced multiple episodes of syncope (fainting) and was diagnosed with vasopressor syncope secondary to bradycardia (slow heart rate), leading to the implantation of a pacemaker.

Ms. Hopkins contended that the tetanus vaccine caused her condition.

The Special Master denied her claim, finding that she failed to establish a prima facie case that the vaccine caused her injury, as the relationship was only temporal and expert medical opinions did not support causation. The court affirmed the Special Master's decision, noting that the Special Master has broad discretion in weighing expert testimony and that the petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence to overturn the ruling.

The injury did not meet the Table criteria for anaphylaxis due to the onset time being more than sixteen hours after vaccination, and brachial neuritis was not supported by evidence.