Dorothy A. Rowan v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2020)

On June 8, 2017, Dorothy A. Rowan, individually and as personal representative of the estate of Dorothy A.

Rowan, filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that Ms.

Rowan, who was 91 years old, developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following receipt of the influenza vaccine on September 27, 2016. The petition was brought as an off-Table claim because the onset of symptoms occurred within approximately 30 to 36 hours after vaccination, which is shorter than the three-day minimum onset period required for a flu-GBS claim under the Vaccine Injury Table.

Petitioner argued that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Rowan's GBS and that the short onset timeframe was medically acceptable.

Respondent contested this, arguing that the timeframe was too short and that elderly individuals have impaired immune responses. Ms.

Rowan passed away on September 23, 2019, but her death was not attributed to the vaccine. The Special Master denied entitlement.

The public decision does not describe the specific symptoms experienced by Ms. Rowan, nor does it detail the specific diagnostic tests performed beyond general descriptions of MRIs and a neurologist's examination.

The decision also does not name the petitioner's counsel or respondent's counsel. The Special Master was Brian H.

Corcoran. No award amount was granted as the petition was denied.