Ivelearis Teresa Colon Mercado v. HHS - HPV, bilateral optical neuritis and/or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (2024)

Ivelearis Teresa Colon Mercado filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered injuries, including bilateral optical neuritis and/or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), as a result of her April 28, 2017 vaccinations. The vaccines received on that date included the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccines.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that these vaccines caused the petitioner's alleged conditions. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 23, 2024, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Ivelearis Teresa Colon Mercado was awarded a lump sum of $90,000.00, which represents compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was issued on September 20, 2024, and the petition was originally filed on April 7, 2020.