Semeca Johnson v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

Semeca Johnson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of her October 11, 2019, influenza vaccination. She stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States, her injury lasted longer than six months, and she had not received prior compensation for this injury.

Initially, the respondent opposed compensation, arguing that Ms. Johnson failed to demonstrate her injury lasted longer than six months.

However, on November 2, 2023, the Chief Special Master found that Ms. Johnson had substantiated her injury lasted longer than six months.

The case was then reassigned, and parties filed expert reports. Following an order to show cause, the respondent advised that he would not continue to defend the entitlement claim, stating that while he maintained Ms.

Johnson had not met her burden of proof, he requested a ruling on the record. Based on the respondent's position and the evidence of record, the Special Master found that Ms.

Johnson is entitled to compensation, with damages to be determined.