Richard Van Dycke v. HHS - Tdap, polymyalgia rheumatic and temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis (2023)

Richard Van Dycke, a 62-year-old adult, received a Tdap vaccination on August 4, 2016. Approximately 19 days later, he developed symptoms consistent with polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Mr. Van Dycke alleged that the Tdap vaccine caused his conditions.

He presented medical records detailing his symptoms, including joint pain, stiffness, jaw pain, and double vision, along with elevated inflammatory markers and a positive temporal artery biopsy confirming GCA. He also provided an affidavit detailing his health history and the onset of his symptoms post-vaccination.

Petitioner's expert, Dr. M.

Eric Gershwin, opined that the Tdap vaccine caused Mr. Van Dycke's GCA and PMR through an immune system activation mechanism, involving T cells and dendritic cells, potentially triggered by a neoantigen related to senescence.

Respondent's expert, Dr. Erin Wilfong, disagreed, stating that Dr.

Gershwin's theory lacked scientific support, failed to adequately explain T cell activation, and that there was no established link between the Tdap vaccine and GCA/PMR. The court found that Petitioner failed to establish a sound and reliable medical theory of causation (Althen Prong One) and a logical sequence of cause and effect (Althen Prong Two).

While a temporal relationship was established (Althen Prong Three), it was insufficient on its own. The court noted the lack of evidence supporting the neoantigen theory and the extrapolation from flu vaccine studies to the Tdap vaccine.

Ultimately, the petition was denied because Petitioner did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the Tdap vaccine caused his GCA and PMR.