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

Tessa Wells filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 25, 2024. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), or alternatively, injuries caused or significantly aggravated by the flu and HPV vaccines she received on November 18, 2022.

Ms. Wells also alleged that her injuries resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months.

The Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Wells sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccines caused or significantly aggravated her alleged shoulder injury or any other condition, and denied that the vaccines caused her current condition.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 4, 2025, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision.

Ms. Wells was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00 for pain and suffering and $624.89 to reimburse a Medicaid lien for services rendered by the State of Colorado.

This award represents compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.