Rasheedah Smith v. HHS - Tdap, left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

Rasheedah Smith filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program after receiving a Tdap vaccine on May 30, 2019. She alleged that she sustained a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) within the timeframe specified by the Vaccine Injury Table and experienced residual effects for more than six months.

The respondent denied that the injury was a Table SIRVA or that the Tdap vaccine caused or aggravated her condition. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case.

The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Rasheedah Smith a lump sum of $90,000.00. This amount is intended to cover all damages available under Section 15(a) for injuries allegedly related to the Tdap vaccine.

The decision was issued on April 17, 2025, following the stipulation filed on March 17, 2025. The petition was originally filed on April 4, 2022.