Gustavo Vega v. HHS - HPV, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2026)

On September 2, 2021, Gustavo Vega filed a petition alleging that the second dose of human papillomavirus vaccine administered on January 14, 2020 caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He alleged an off-Table cause-in-fact injury.

The medical history in the decision described a first HPV vaccination in December 2019 and a second HPV vaccination on January 14, 2020. Eleven days later, Mr.

Vega went to the emergency department unable to bear weight on both legs and with trouble gripping with both hands. GBS was suspected, he was admitted, lumbar puncture and antibody testing were ordered, and he received a five-day course of IVIG.

He remained in inpatient rehabilitation until March 20, 2020, still needing a walker and ankle-foot orthoses at discharge. Later neurology records described acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or an AMAN variant, ongoing weakness and balance problems, and additional IVIG courses.

Mr. Vega relied on expert reports from neurologist Dr.

Joseph Jeret and immunologist Dr. Omid Akbari.

Their theory centered on molecular mimicry and immune activation after HPV vaccination. Respondent opposed compensation through reports from Dr.

Andrew MacGinnitie and Dr. Matthew Brier, who disputed that the HPV vaccine was shown to cause GBS and criticized the molecular mimicry analysis as too general and not tied to a persuasive HPV-specific mechanism.

Special Master Jonathan Young denied compensation on March 25, 2026. He concluded that Mr.

Vega had not shown by preponderant evidence that the HPV vaccine can cause GBS in the manner proposed or that the vaccine caused his GBS. No award was made.