Shannyn Barnard v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2020)

Shannyn Barnard filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 6, 2018, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving a Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination on February 21, 2016. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

Respondent denied that the Tdap vaccine caused her alleged GBS or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on April 21, 2020, agreeing to an award of compensation.

The Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Shannyn Barnard was awarded a lump sum of $90,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.