Carolann Sinclair v. HHS - Pneumococcal, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and subsequent PRES (2026)

On February 10, 2022, Carolann Sinclair filed a petition alleging that a Prevnar-13 pneumococcal vaccine administered on February 12, 2019 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. She was 65 years old at vaccination.

About two weeks after vaccination, Ms. Sinclair began experiencing tingling in her fingers and toes, headaches, and back pain.

Her symptoms progressed to numbness, weakness, facial droop, and difficulty walking, and she was diagnosed with GBS and later PRES. Treating records considered the vaccination as a possible precipitating factor and other potential causes were evaluated.

Petitioner's neurologists, Dr. John Hixson and Dr.

Lawrence Steinman, advanced a molecular-mimicry theory, focusing on Prevnar-13 components and potential immune cross-reactivity with peripheral nervous system targets. Respondent's neurologists, Dr.

Dara Jamieson and Dr. Robert Fujinami, disputed both the epidemiologic support and the proposed mechanism, arguing the illness was coincidental.

The Special Master found petitioner's theory reliable enough, accepted the timing as medically appropriate, and found a logical sequence of cause and effect supported by treating-physician impressions and exclusion of other etiologies. Entitlement was granted on March 2, 2026, with damages to be determined separately.