Gina Kidwell v. HHS - Influenza, vasovagal syncope (2021)

Gina Kidwell, an 80-year-old woman, received an influenza vaccine on October 13, 2015. Shortly after, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident, which she alleged was caused by vaccine-induced vasovagal syncope.

She sought compensation for the syncope, the accident, and subsequent injuries that she claimed persisted for over six months. The case initially focused on whether she suffered a Table Injury of vasovagal syncope, which requires loss of consciousness within one hour of vaccination.

Kidwell also pursued an alternative off-Table claim, alleging presyncope caused by the vaccine. The court found that while the accident likely occurred within an hour of vaccination, there was insufficient evidence that Kidwell lost consciousness or suffered a Table Injury of vasovagal syncope.

Her own testimony was inconsistent, and contemporaneous medical records and witness accounts did not confirm a loss of consciousness. Furthermore, the court determined that Kidwell failed to prove causation-in-fact for either syncope or presyncope, citing her inconsistent medical history, the non-specific nature of presyncope symptoms, and the plausible alternative explanations for her episode, including migraines, Meniere's disease, or transient ischemic attack.

The court also noted that Kidwell's own testimony suggested pedal misapplication, not syncope, as the cause of the accident. Ultimately, the court concluded that Kidwell did not meet her burden of proof for any vaccine-related injury, and the petition was dismissed.