Randall S. Blank v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

On October 26, 2021, Randall S. Blank, M.D., Ph.D., filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered in his left shoulder on September 23, 2020 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.

He was a 61-year-old anesthesiologist with no history of left shoulder pain or dysfunction at the time of vaccination. Respondent did not contest most Table SIRVA elements, but argued that Dr.

Blank failed to prove residual effects for more than six months because there was a long treatment gap after March 2021. The medical record showed that he was seen at employee health on October 12, 2020 for shoulder pain that began within hours of vaccination and worsened over two weeks.

He continued to report pain with raising his arm, saw orthopedics in December 2020, received a steroid injection, and returned in March 2021 reporting that his pain had come back worse than before. A second steroid injection did not help.

MRI findings included full-thickness tearing of the posterior supraspinatus and anterior infraspinatus, diffuse labral degeneration and tearing, severe glenohumeral synovitis, biceps tendinosis with tenosynovitis, and a probable small Hill-Sachs deformity. The orthopedist described advanced glenohumeral osteoarthrosis with a superimposed inflammatory reaction to the flu vaccine and discussed arthroscopy, but Dr.

Blank chose physical therapy. At physical therapy he reported severe shoulder pain after a shot placed too close to the joint and difficulty weightlifting, swimming, and running.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that the March 2021 MRI, examination findings, planned therapy, and declarations from Dr.

Blank and his wife supported residual effects beyond six months despite the gap in shoulder-specific care. Entitlement was granted on March 23, 2026, but damages were left for later proceedings.