Adrian Williams v. HHS - Tdap, septic shock, left arm cellulitis, and alleged post-sepsis syndrome (2025)

On October 12, 2022, Adrian Williams filed a new Vaccine Act petition after a prior petition had been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction while a civil action was pending. He alleged that Tdap, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines administered at a Rite Aid in Louisiana on September 9, 2017, caused septic shock, left arm cellulitis, and later post-sepsis syndrome.

Two days after vaccination, Mr. Williams went to the emergency room with left arm soreness, fatigue, weakness, nausea, and vomiting.

He was hospitalized for ten days, treated with IV fluids and antibiotics, and discharged on September 20, 2017. His primary hospital diagnosis was septic shock of unknown source, with left arm cellulitis also considered.

The record also showed significant pre-vaccination medical history, including hypertension, a prior cardiopulmonary arrest and sepsis after gallbladder surgery, residual neurologic complaints, vertigo, and prior right arm and hand weakness. Petitioner relied on Dr.

Jerrold S. Dreyer, who opined that Mr.

Williams developed post-sepsis syndrome and that later muscle cramping was a residual of vaccine-induced septic shock. Special Master Laura D.

Millman Roth found that the evidence did not satisfy the Vaccine Act's six-month severity requirement. The post-discharge records did not document continuing vaccine-related sepsis or cellulitis symptoms for six months, did not show treating physicians diagnosing post-sepsis syndrome, and did not support petitioner's later explanation that he used over-the-counter magnesium for vaccine-related cramping.

Mr. Williams sought review.

On October 2, 2025, Judge Zachary N. Somers Hadji denied review and sustained the dismissal, concluding that the Special Master had rationally evaluated the medical record and was not required to accept petitioner's expert over the absence of corroborating clinical evidence.

No compensation was awarded. Mr.

Williams was represented by Harry E. Forst.