Mary Lou Hilvers v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On November 8, 2021, Mary Lou Hilvers, age 79, filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 17, 2020 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Karen Donahue, her daughter and executor, was later substituted after Ms.

Hilvers died from an unrelated condition. The decision describes a medical record complicated by pre-existing arthritis, chronic pain issues, and cervical problems.

Ms. Hilvers went to the emergency room on October 26, 2020 with left arm pain after the vaccine and then saw providers for shoulder pain, tenderness, and reduced function.

She received prednisone, orthopedic evaluation, a steroid injection, ultrasound evidence of inflammation, and physical therapy from late November 2020 into January 2021. By the end of therapy, the shoulder record showed substantial resolution.

Petitioner conceded that the shoulder injury itself did not meet the six-month severity requirement, but argued that later left index-finger pain, numbness, and tingling were vaccine sequelae. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran rejected that theory. He found the shoulder symptoms supported only about four months of sequelae, and the later finger complaints were not shown by preponderant evidence to be caused by the vaccine, especially given Ms.

Hilvers's arthritis and cervical conditions. On October 6, 2025, the case was dismissed for insufficient evidence.

No compensation was awarded.