G.S. v. HHS - Hepatitis B, alopecia areata (2024)

Jeffrey and Brittney Sears, parents of G.S., a minor, filed a petition on August 2, 2021, alleging that the hepatitis B and/or inactive polio vaccine G.S. received on August 7, 2019, caused her to develop alopecia areata the next day. The Secretary of Health and Human Services contested entitlement, arguing that the petitioners had not provided sufficient evidence of a causal connection and that none of G.S.'s treating doctors opined that the vaccines caused her condition.

The petitioners submitted an expert report from dermatologist Dr. Richard Horan, who opined that the hepatitis B vaccine caused the alopecia areata via molecular mimicry, citing supporting literature.

The Secretary's experts, dermatologist Dr. Andrew Krakowski and immunologist Dr.

Andrew MacGinnitie, critiqued this theory. Dr.

Krakowski cited an epidemiological study that did not show an increased incidence of alopecia areata after the hepatitis B vaccine and argued that the 36-hour onset time was too rapid for an immune response. Dr.

MacGinnitie also opined that the time course was too rapid for an adaptive immune response. The Special Master noted the strength of the respondent's arguments and gave the petitioners an opportunity to supplement the record with another report from Dr.

Horan, but Dr. Horan was unresponsive.

The Special Master tentatively found that the petitioners had not presented persuasive evidence of causation or an appropriate temporal interval. On June 28, 2024, the petitioners moved for a dismissal of their petition.

The Special Master granted the motion, dismissing the case with prejudice for insufficient proof, as the petitioners failed to establish a medical theory connecting the vaccination and injury, a logical sequence of cause and effect, or a proximate temporal relationship, particularly concerning the theory of molecular mimicry and the rapid onset of symptoms. The decision was issued by Special Master Christian J.

Moran.