Chris Van Hulse, Jr. v. HHS - Influenza, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and other neurological/neuropsychiatric illness (2026)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On August 4, 2021, Chris Van Hulse, Jr. filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on August 17, 2018 caused a severe adverse reaction described as Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and other neurological or neuropsychiatric illness. Respondent recommended denial in a Rule 4(c) report filed May 22, 2024.
The report stated that the only consistently confirmed diagnoses were obsessive-compulsive disorder and tics, that retrospective histories suggested those symptoms predated vaccination, that no reputable medical theory connected the flu vaccine to the alleged condition on this record, and that onset appeared about thirteen months after vaccination. Petitioner moved for a decision dismissing the petition.
Special Master Christian J. Moran construed the filing as a motion for dismissal with judgment against petitioner.
On March 10, 2026, he dismissed the case, noting that petitioner had not established a Table injury or satisfied the Althen requirements for off-Table causation. No compensation was awarded.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine on August 17, 2018, allegedly causing PANS/neurological-neuropsychiatric illness; DISMISSED/DENIED. Respondent's Rule 4(c) report identified confirmed OCD/tics, retrospective histories predating vaccination, no reliable vaccine-causation theory, and onset about 13 months post-vaccination. Petitioner moved for dismissal; SM Christian J. Moran dismissed for failure to prove Table injury or Althen causation. Petition filed August 4, 2021; decision March 10, 2026. No award. Exact age not stated; adult self-filed petition.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01663