Kailey Johnson v. HHS - HPV, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (“POTS”) (2018)

On March 31, 2014, Charmaine Johnson filed a petition on behalf of her minor daughter, Kailey Johnson, alleging that the third dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administered on February 16, 2011, caused Kailey to develop Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other related symptoms, including leg pain, joint pain, difficulty breathing, eye drooping, and fatigue. The petition asserted that the HPV vaccine induced POTS through an autoimmune process.

An entitlement hearing was held on October 3 and 12, 2017. Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran issued a decision on March 23, 2018, finding that the petitioner failed to meet her burden of proof. The Special Master determined that the onset of symptoms arguably related to POTS occurred approximately 21 months after vaccination, which exceeded the medically acceptable timeframe for causation.

Furthermore, the petitioner did not establish a reliable theory of causation linking the HPV vaccine to POTS, nor did she prove that the vaccine was the actual cause of her condition. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of causation or name petitioner's counsel, respondent's counsel, or the specific dollar breakdown of any award, as the claim was denied.

The decision notes that Kailey Johnson was 11 years old at the time of vaccination. The Special Master acknowledged the family's efforts but concluded that the evidence did not preponderate in favor of a vaccine-induced injury, leading to the denial of the claim.

The decision was designated "to be published" and was subject to potential redaction of confidential information.