Doris DiPonziano v. HHS - Pneumococcal, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) (2025)

On August 22, 2017, Doris DiPonziano filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that the Prevnar 13 vaccine she received on July 11, 2016, caused her Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Petitioner, a 79-year-old female, presented for a follow-up appointment on July 11, 2016, where she received the Prevnar 13 vaccine.

Approximately eleven days later, on July 22, 2016, she began experiencing symptoms of GBS, including tingling in her hands and feet, which rapidly progressed to severe weakness and paralysis. She was hospitalized at Cooper University Hospital, where her condition worsened, requiring intubation and a tracheostomy due to respiratory compromise.

Her hospital course was complicated by bacteremia and pneumonia. She was subsequently transferred to rehabilitation facilities and eventually discharged home in January 2017, continuing to require assistance for daily activities.

Petitioner's medical history included hypothyroidism and allergies. The respondent argued that a preceding upper respiratory infection (URI) was the cause of her GBS, or that the evidence did not support a link between the vaccine and GBS.

Petitioner presented expert testimony from Dr. Matthew Lee and Dr.

Robert Knobler, who opined that the Prevnar 13 vaccine caused her GBS through mechanisms such as molecular mimicry or bystander activation. Respondent presented expert testimony from Dr.

You-Wen He and Dr. Brian Callaghan, who argued against a vaccine link and suggested a URI as the cause.

Special Master Thomas L. Gowen reviewed the evidence and testimony.

He found that petitioner established by a preponderance of the evidence that the Prevnar 13 vaccine caused her GBS, satisfying the three prongs of the Althen test for off-Table claims. The Special Master found the evidence for a URI as the sole cause to be equivocal and that the vaccine's role was medically plausible given the timing and expert opinions.

Entitlement was granted on February 11, 2025, and damages were awarded on September 23, 2025: $250,000 for pain and suffering. Petitioner was represented by Irene McLafferty of Mess and Associates, P.C., and respondent was represented by Lynn Christina Schlie of the U.S.

Department of Justice.