Laurianne Russell v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder subacromial bursitis and glenohumeral synovitis (2026)

On March 16, 2020, Laurianne Russell filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on December 4, 2017 caused a shoulder injury. She was 52 years old at vaccination.

Her Table SIRVA claim was dismissed on July 26, 2023 because the record did not show symptoms isolated to the vaccinated shoulder. The remaining off-Table claim alleged left shoulder subacromial bursitis and glenohumeral synovitis.

Ms. Russell reported left arm soreness the day after vaccination, then sought care about two weeks later for neck pain and left-neck muscle spasm.

Later records described left arm and neck pain radiating toward the neck, a small mass near the vaccination site, cervical radiculitis, degenerative cervical disc disease, and physical therapy directed mainly at cervical spine range of motion. By June 2018 she reported no more neck or shoulder pain.

Petitioner's orthopedic expert, Dr. Uma Srikumaran, attributed bursitis/synovitis to vaccine inflammation and explained neck pain through kinetic-chain effects.

Respondent's orthopedic expert, Dr. Geoffrey Abrams, found cervical myofascial pain syndrome or cervical spondylosis more consistent with the record.

Chief Special Master Corcoran agreed with respondent, finding the injury actually experienced was primarily neck-related and that petitioner had not supplied a reliable theory linking the flu shot to that condition. Entitlement was denied on January 2, 2026.