Donald A. Haubner v. HHS - Influenza, peripheral neuropathy (2021)

Donald A. Haubner filed a petition alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 29, 2013, caused him to suffer from peripheral neuropathy.

Mr. Haubner, born in 1963, had a pre-existing medical history that included chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hypothyroidism, and cervical degenerative disc disease.

He alleged that within days of his vaccination, he experienced extreme fatigue and weakness, entering a comatose-like state for approximately five days. He further claimed that his health declined significantly post-vaccination, leading to worsening peripheral neuropathy, numbness, memory issues, and severe pain.

Petitioner's brother, Aaron Haubner, Ph.D., submitted a report suggesting a theory of molecular mimicry linking vaccines to autoimmune conditions. Petitioner's treating physicians, Dr.

Becker and Dr. Tracy, opined that the vaccination likely aggravated his condition or contributed to his neurological suffering, though they also noted the possibility of pre-existing conditions.

Respondent's experts, Dr. Kedl and Dr.

Wilson, argued that Petitioner's symptoms predated the vaccination and that his peripheral neuropathy was idiopathic, not immune-mediated, and not caused by the flu vaccine. The court found that Petitioner failed to establish a scientifically or medically plausible theory linking the seasonal flu vaccine to his peripheral neuropathy, particularly as the vaccine did not contain an adjuvant and Petitioner's condition was not clearly immune-mediated.

Furthermore, the court determined that evidence indicated Petitioner's symptoms and peripheral neuropathy predated the vaccination, thus failing the second prong of the Althen test. The court also found that Petitioner did not establish a proximate temporal relationship for his specific condition.

Consequently, the court denied Mr. Haubner's petition.