Danette Weems v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

Danette Weems filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following a Tdap vaccination on August 19, 2021. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused her injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Ms.

Weems was awarded a lump sum of $105,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the parties stipulated to the award amount.