Kanako Yamanaka v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2026)

Kanako Yamanaka filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 22, 2021. She also received a COVID-19 vaccine on November 7, 2021.

Petitioner alleged that the influenza vaccine was administered in the United States, that she experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that no civil action had been settled or awarded. Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused her injury, and denied that her condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to a settlement. Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the stipulation as the decision, awarding Kanako Yamanaka a lump sum of $5,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.