Pyul Horbelt v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

On January 11, 2021, Pyul Horbelt filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on August 22, 2020 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The vaccine administration record listed the right deltoid, but Ms.

Horbelt's affidavit and medical records consistently identified the left shoulder. Twelve days after vaccination, primary-care records documented left shoulder pain for the prior 10 days, with pain above the deltoid and limited range of motion.

Orthopedic records later tied the pain to the flu shot. Her treatment included six physical therapy sessions, five acupuncture sessions, one steroid injection, x-ray, and MRI.

Respondent contested the injection site and whether the injury lasted more than six months. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran credited the consistent left-shoulder medical history over the pharmacy site entry and found the Table SIRVA criteria satisfied. On January 8, 2026, he awarded $18,000.00 for pain and suffering and $450.00 in unreimbursed expenses, for a total of $18,450.00.