Tuipine Sofara v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

Tuipine Sofara filed a petition for vaccine compensation on May 4, 2023, alleging injury from an influenza vaccine received on December 23, 2021. The vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

Sofara claimed to have suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) that was caused by the flu shot and resulted in residual effects lasting over six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused the alleged injury or any other condition.

Despite these opposing positions, the parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Sofara a lump sum of $15,000.00 for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

This amount is to be paid through an ACH deposit to Sofara's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the award represents a settlement of liability and damages.