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

Caitlin Yohannes filed a petition for compensation on March 7, 2025, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on September 18, 2021. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

Respondent denied that Petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA injury and denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged left shoulder injury or current condition. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on March 7, 2025, agreeing to a settlement.

The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision awarding damages. Caitlin Yohannes was awarded a lump sum of $36,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

This amount is to be paid through an ACH deposit to her counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. The parties also agreed to further proceedings to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

The stipulation explicitly states that it is not an admission by the United States or the Secretary that the flu vaccine caused the injury or that Petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA injury.