Ralph Parmer v. HHS - Influenza, thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (2023)

On July 25, 2016, Ralph Parmer filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 17, 2013, caused him to develop thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP). Mr.

Parmer, then 37 years old, received the flu vaccine at Harmony Healthworks. Approximately seven days after vaccination, he began experiencing symptoms including fatigue, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and dark urine.

His condition rapidly worsened, leading to hospitalization on October 27, 2013, where he was diagnosed with TTP, characterized by acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and schistocytes. His ADAMTS13 activity level was found to be 19% after initial treatment.

He was treated with plasmapheresis, rituximab, and prednisone, and discharged on November 15, 2013. His treating physicians noted a possible connection between his TTP and the flu shot, and subsequent medical records indicated an allergy or history of flu shot-induced TTP, advising against future flu vaccinations.

Mr. Parmer experienced a recurrence of TTP in September 2014.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, argued that the evidence did not support a causal link between the flu vaccine and TTP. An entitlement hearing was held on May 2, 2019.

Petitioner was represented by Isaiah Kalinowski, Esq., and respondent by Christine Becer, Esq. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth presided.

The Special Master found that Mr. Parmer presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the flu vaccine more likely than not triggered his TTP and ruled that he was entitled to compensation, with the case to proceed to determine damages.

The decision was issued on March 25, 2021. Update: a decision on proffer on damages filed 2023-01-31 resolved the case for $324,592.