Glenn Reinhardt v. HHS - Influenza, bilateral optic neuritis (2022)

Glenn Reinhardt filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he developed bilateral optic neuritis (ON) as a result of the influenza vaccine he received on October 11, 2016. The petition was filed on September 15, 2017.

Mr. Reinhardt, a 44-year-old male with no significant prior medical history other than chronic sinusitis, received his first-ever influenza vaccination on October 11, 2016.

Approximately 12 days later, on October 23, 2016, he began experiencing vision obstruction in his right eye, which progressed rapidly. He was admitted to the hospital for three weeks, during which extensive testing was performed to rule out various potential causes of his vision loss.

Ultimately, all other etiologies were ruled out, and he was diagnosed with bilateral optic neuritis. His treating neuro-ophthalmologist, Dr.

Martha Schatz, ultimately diagnosed his condition as post-vaccine autoimmune optic neuritis, citing the temporal association with the flu vaccine and the exclusion of other causes. The court's Ruling on Entitlement, issued on April 2, 2021, found that Mr.

Reinhardt had met his burden of proof under the Althen standard and was entitled to compensation, accepting the theory of molecular mimicry as the causal link. On October 26, 2022, a Decision on Joint Stipulation was issued, awarding Mr.

Reinhardt a total of $2,247,225.67 in damages, which included compensation for first-year life care expenses, past and future lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses, with the remainder to be paid via an annuity.