Lissette Limonta v. HHS - Influenza, anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, and swelling of the face, tongue and lips (2025)

Lissette Limonta filed a petition alleging that she suffered anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, and swelling of her face, tongue, and lips as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 6, 2015. She also claimed to have experienced recurrences of her symptoms.

The case progressed through various procedural stages, with the respondent arguing that the petitioner did not meet the criteria for a Table claim of anaphylaxis and, crucially, did not satisfy the six-month severity requirement for an off-Table claim. The petitioner's medical records documented an initial episode of angioedema approximately 10 hours after vaccination and a second episode about a month later.

However, the court found a lack of objective evidence of ongoing symptoms or recurrent episodes of angioedema or urticarial lesions for more than six months following the vaccination. While the petitioner argued that her continued use of medication suppressed symptoms and satisfied the severity requirement, the court determined there was insufficient evidence that this medication was medically necessary to prevent disease progression or ongoing symptoms.

The court noted that after discontinuing the medication, the petitioner reported no further symptoms, weighing against the argument that symptoms were being suppressed. Ultimately, the Special Master concluded that the petitioner failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that her condition met the six-month severity requirement.

Consequently, the petition was dismissed.