Tawnette Harris v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2022)

Tawnette Harris filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 3, 2020, alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccination received on November 11, 2019. She stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, that her injury resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months, and that she had not received any prior award or settlement for this injury.

Respondent denied that Ms. Harris sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other condition, and denied that the flu vaccine caused her current condition.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 30, 2022, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages.

Ms. Harris was awarded a lump sum of $44,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.