Jill Shanti Zinzi v. HHS - Tdap, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and other symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (2025)

Jill Shanti Zinzi, a 51-year-old adult, filed a claim alleging that she suffered from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and other symptoms of autonomic dysfunction as a result of receiving a Tdap vaccine on February 5, 2019. She filed her petition with the Court of Federal Claims on August 19, 2021.

The case progressed through pre-assignment review and expert report exchanges. Respondent filed a report recommending against compensation.

Following a Rule 5 status conference, the Special Master issued tentative findings that Ms. Zinzi would likely be unable to demonstrate that she suffered from POTS or any other autonomic dysfunction caused by the vaccine.

The medical records, including opinions from treating physicians at Stanford Neuroscience Health Center and Kaiser Permanente, as well as an autonomic specialist, indicated that her symptoms did not meet the diagnostic criteria for POTS and that she did not have a unifying diagnosis within typical autonomic disorders. Although Ms.

Zinzi submitted an expert report, it was deemed insufficient to overcome the treating physicians' opinions. On June 13, 2025, Ms.

Zinzi filed a motion requesting dismissal of her claim, acknowledging that the evidence did not support her diagnosis and that a dismissal would result in a judgment against her. The Special Master granted the motion, finding that Ms.

Zinzi failed to prove by preponderant evidence that she suffered from POTS or any other autonomic condition, and therefore, her claim could not succeed. The petition was dismissed with prejudice.