Claudius Williams v. HHS - Influenza, abscess (2025)

Claudius Williams, a 55-year-old adult, received an influenza vaccine on October 5, 2018. She alleged that this vaccine caused adverse effects, including pain and an abscess at the injection site.

The vaccine was administered by an entity later found to have inadequate safety controls, leading to similar abscess injuries in other individuals. Williams reported a bump on her shoulder appearing a few days after vaccination, which became red, itchy, and painful, persisting for one to two months.

Her primary care physician noted in January 2019, over three months post-vaccination, that her shoulder was 'all better' with no discomfort. Despite this, Williams sought a referral to infectious disease specialists, citing colleagues who had been prescribed antibiotics.

She eventually saw a specialist in June 2019, more than eight months after vaccination, reporting 'symptoms of pain' and numbness in her hand. However, the specialist noted her wound was 'all healed' with 'no other systemic symptoms' and found no induration or tenderness, recommending no treatment.

The court found that the medical records did not corroborate Williams's claims of lingering pain and numbness beyond six months post-vaccination, and her affidavit was given little weight. The court determined that the abscess had resolved well before the six-month severity deadline.

Consequently, Williams failed to meet the statutory severity requirement for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and her claim was dismissed.