B.B. v. HHS - Tdap, left deltoid tendinopathy / vaccine-related shoulder injury (2025)

On November 1, 2017, B.B. filed a petition alleging that a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered in her left deltoid on August 19, 2015 caused a shoulder injury. She initially alleged SIRVA, but by entitlement briefing she argued that the vaccine had been injected too low and caused left deltoid tendinopathy.

The record gave the injury a human chronology. B.B. had prior neck, back, and shoulder complaints from earlier events, but Special Master Katherine E.

Oler found the post-vaccination pain different. A VAERS report recorded onset about two hours after vaccination.

Emails from October 2015, an insurance claim report, later chiropractic and medical records, and affidavits from B.B., her husband, and her son described immediate electric-shock pain, burning and deep aching, difficulty lifting the arm, pain waking her at night, and continuing symptoms after the family moved to Switzerland. A July 2016 examination documented warmth and tenderness at the deltoid insertion.

B.B.'s expert, Dr. Marko Bodor, diagnosed deltoid tendinopathy and explained that vaccine deposition in the lower deltoid can create chronic inflammation and pain.

Respondent's expert, Dr. Julie Bishop, disputed the diagnosis, causation, and the significance of B.B.'s medical records.

The Special Master found Dr. Bodor more persuasive, credited same-day onset, and held that B.B. had proven an off-Table vaccine-caused deltoid injury under Althen.

Entitlement was granted on April 19, 2024. On August 6, 2025, after respondent proffered damages and B.B. agreed, Special Master Jennifer A.

Shah awarded $63,348.86: $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $848.86 for past unreimbursable expenses.