Francis McKenna v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2026)

Francis McKenna filed a petition for vaccine compensation on August 27, 2024, alleging injury from an influenza vaccine received on November 5, 2022. The petitioner claimed to have suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and that the flu vaccine caused her alleged injury, with residual effects lasting more than six months.

Respondent denied that the petitioner sustained a GBS Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated any injury, and denied that the petitioner's current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation on May 11, 2026, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. The award consists of a lump sum of $87,500.00 for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.