S.R. v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) (2018)

S.R. received an influenza vaccine on October 20, 2014. The petitioners alleged that S.R. developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) as a result of this vaccination.

However, medical records indicated that S.R.'s parents had noticed symptoms of weakness in her legs starting as early as May or July 2014, months before the vaccination. Doctors questioned the GBS and CIDP diagnoses due to the insidious onset, slow progression over many months, and atypical findings such as normal protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid.

The court noted that if the onset of neurologic disease occurred before vaccination, the claim could only be for significant aggravation, not a Table GBS claim. The petitioners did not provide a medical expert opinion to support their allegations, and none of their treating physicians supported the claim that the flu vaccine caused S.R.'s neuropathy.

Ultimately, the petitioners filed a Notice of Withdrawal of the Petition. The case was dismissed upon withdrawal.