Jeannette Alvarez v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) with tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff tear, and surgery (2026)

On July 3, 2023, Jeannette Alvarez filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on November 5, 2021 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent opposed compensation, arguing that Ms.

Alvarez's prior left shoulder history could explain her post-vaccination complaints. The record showed some pre-vaccination shoulder references, including a vague left shoulder/upper arm complaint after an October 2020 flu shot and chiropractic notes in September and October 2021 that mentioned limited shoulder range of motion.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found those earlier records did not preponderantly explain the new post-vaccination course.

After the November 2021 vaccine, Ms. Alvarez reported left anterior shoulder pain after vaccination, positive impingement-type testing, and pain that disrupted sleep and movement.

She received a subacromial steroid injection in February 2022, attended physical therapy, and later saw orthopedics. Her imaging and orthopedic course included minimal acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and a rotator-cuff tear.

She ultimately underwent arthroscopic surgery on February 27, 2023, followed by physical therapy. The Special Master concluded that the SIRVA involved new pain and inflammation of preexisting shoulder pathology and that, on this record, it was not practicable to separate SIRVA from non-SIRVA components of the surgery.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found entitlement and awarded damages in the same March 23, 2026 decision. Ms.

Alvarez received $127,391.55: $125,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,391.55 for past unreimbursed expenses.