Harold Jackson v. HHS - Influenza, exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, which resulted in colon surgery and dementia (2021)

Harold Jackson, as administrator of the Estate of Stephanie Jackson, filed a petition alleging that his wife, Stephanie Jackson, suffered from ulcerative colitis and dementia as a result of a Fluzone Quadrivalent influenza vaccination she received on September 26, 2013. Ms.

Jackson was 62 years old at the time of vaccination. Petitioner alleged that the flu vaccine significantly aggravated her ulcerative colitis, leading to colon surgery and subsequent cognitive impairment.

Respondent disputed that the vaccine caused the ulcerative colitis flare or that the surgery caused dementia. The court considered the medical records, affidavits, and expert reports.

Petitioner's expert, Dr. Cromwell, theorized that the flu vaccine caused a non-specific immunomodulatory effect that aggravated Ms.

Jackson's ulcerative colitis. Respondent's experts, Drs.

Warner, Vartanian, and Longman, opined that there was no scientific evidence to support this theory, that the flare was consistent with the natural history of ulcerative colitis, and that Ms. Jackson's cognitive decline was likely pre-existing dementia or due to other postoperative complications.

The court found that petitioner failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence a sound and reliable causal theory or a logical sequence of cause and effect linking the flu vaccine to the aggravation of ulcerative colitis. The court also noted that Ms.

Jackson's ulcerative colitis flare progressed over four months, which was inconsistent with the rapid onset seen in some reported cases. Ms.

Jackson died from pneumonia, weakness, and acute liver failure on October 19, 2019, during the pendency of the case. The court denied entitlement, finding that the petitioner did not meet the burden of proof for causation or significant aggravation.