Christina Mitchell v. HHS - Influenza, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (2025)

Christina Mitchell filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered chronic immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on October 9, 2016. The respondent argued against compensation.

The court found that Ms. Mitchell provided sufficient evidence that her flu vaccine caused her ITP, satisfying the requirements for an off-Table claim.

The medical records indicated that prior to the vaccination, Ms. Mitchell was generally healthy, though a 2013 record showed a slightly low platelet count.

Following the vaccination, she experienced symptoms consistent with ITP, including bruising and heavy menstruation, leading to a diagnosis of severe thrombocytopenia. Her condition was treated with various medications, including prednisone, Rituxan, IVIG, Nplate, and Promacta, and was ultimately classified as chronic ITP.

Petitioner's experts, Dr. Abhimanyu Ghose and Dr.

Marc Serota, opined that molecular mimicry was the likely mechanism by which the flu vaccine caused Ms. Mitchell's ITP, citing various studies and case reports.

Respondent's experts, Dr. Lisa Baumann Kreuziger and Dr.

Neil Romberg, disagreed, suggesting alternative causes such as a prior viral infection or a history of thrombocytopenia, and questioning the link between the flu vaccine and ITP. The court weighed the evidence and expert opinions, ultimately finding in favor of Ms.

Mitchell. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on January 11, 2023, granting her compensation.

Subsequently, a Decision Awarding Damages was issued on April 22, 2025, awarding Ms. Mitchell a total of $310,181.42.

This amount included $180,000.00 for pain and suffering, $7,676.42 for past unreimbursed expenses, $15,150.00 for past lost earnings, and $107,355.00 for future lost earnings.