Donna Ducey v. HHS - Tdap, anaphylaxis and Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2021)

On July 12, 2017, Donna Ducey filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered anaphylaxis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving Tdap and influenza vaccines on September 3, 2015. Ms.

Ducey claimed that anaphylaxis occurred within minutes of vaccination and that GBS symptoms began approximately 15 days later. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from these injuries for more than six months.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the respondent, denied that the vaccines caused Ms. Ducey's alleged anaphylaxis, GBS, or any other injury.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 2, 2021, agreeing to an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Ms.

Ducey was awarded a lump sum of $220,000.00, payable by check to the Petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages. The decision notes that Ms.

Ducey also received a Pneumovax vaccine on September 3, 2015, but this vaccine is not covered under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the alleged injuries, diagnostic tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism by which the vaccines allegedly caused the injuries.

Petitioner was represented by David Gordon Hart, and Respondent was represented by Althea Walker Davis. Judgment was to be entered in accordance with this decision unless a motion for review was filed.