{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235-0","petitioner_identifier":"B.B.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":12.2,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"Tdap","vaccination_date":"2021-05-14","condition_raw":"type 1 diabetes mellitus","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2025-02-04","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:47:21.197476+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":2,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":43,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner alleged that the Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccines administered on May 14, 2021, to 12-year-old B.B. caused him to develop type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Petitioner's expert, Dr. David Axelrod, proposed a theory that vaccination stimulates the innate immune system, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines, in turn, could induce oxidative stress and post-translational modifications in pancreatic beta cells, rendering them immunogenic. This could activate self-reactive immune cells, leading to an autoimmune attack on the pancreas. Dr. Axelrod also invoked molecular mimicry, suggesting amino acid sequence homology between vaccine components and pancreatic islet cell antigens could trigger an autoimmune response, supported by B.B.'s positive GAD autoantibody test. Respondent's experts, Dr. Steven Willi and Dr. You-Wen He, countered that T1DM is a chronic autoimmune disease with a long, often subclinical, development period, typically months to years, making a rapid onset post-vaccination unlikely. They cited extensive epidemiologic studies (e.g., Beyerlein, Morgan, Hviid) showing no association between childhood vaccinations and T1DM, and noted that the Institute of Medicine also found a null association for the Tdap vaccine. Dr. Willi and Dr. He argued that Dr. Axelrod's reliance on cytokine production and molecular mimicry was not supported by reliable scientific evidence, that in vitro studies cited did not reflect human responses to vaccination, and that blocking cytokines did not delay T1DM progression. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran denied compensation, finding that Petitioner failed to establish a scientifically reliable theory that vaccines can cause T1DM, citing the long history of rejected claims and the lack of new supporting evidence. The decision noted that T1DM's chronic nature and long development period made a rapid post-vaccination onset unlikely. The case was denied on the first prong of the Althen test (medical theory causally connecting vaccination and injury).","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2025-01-02","case_summary":"Debbie Nease Bohannon, on behalf of her son B.B., filed a petition on January 2, 2025, alleging that the Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccines administered on May 14, 2021, caused B.B. to develop type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). B.B., who was 12 years old at the time of vaccination, had no prior medical history relevant to diabetes, though some family members had type 2 diabetes. Following vaccination, B.B. experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, leading to an emergency room visit approximately six weeks later where he was diagnosed with T1DM and diabetic ketoacidosis. The petition was supported by an expert report from Dr. David Axelrod, who theorized that vaccine-induced cytokines and molecular mimicry could lead to an autoimmune attack on pancreatic beta cells. This theory was contested by respondent's experts, Dr. Steven Willi and Dr. You-Wen He. The court reviewed the petitioner's causation theory and the medical records. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that the petitioner failed to establish a scientifically reliable theory that vaccines can cause T1DM, noting the consistent rejection of such claims in prior Vaccine Program cases and the lack of new scientific evidence supporting the petitioner's specific arguments. The court also highlighted that T1DM is a chronic condition with a long, often subclinical, development period, making a rapid onset post-vaccination unlikely to be vaccine-caused. The court concluded that the petitioner did not meet the burden of proof for a causation-in-fact claim and denied compensation. Petitioner was represented by Lisa A. Roquemore, and Respondent was represented by Mark K. Hellie.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Lisa A. Roquemore","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Office of Lisa A. Roquemore","petitioner_attorney_location":"Rancho Santa Margarita, CA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|lisa-roquemore|","firm_canonical_key":"law-office-of-lisa-a-roquemore","package_title":"BOHANNON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235-0","title":"BOHANNON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/02/2025) regarding 30 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (af) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-02-04","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":532771,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00235-1","title":"BOHANNON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/12/2025) regarding 35 DECISION of Special Master - Fees ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-10-20","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}