VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01886
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01886
Petitioner: Eileen Poulin
Filed: 2025-11-05
Decided: 2026-06-02
Vaccine: pneumococcal conjugate
Vaccination date: 2024-01-12
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 52500

AI-assisted case summary:
Eileen Poulin, a 65-year-old pediatrician, received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on January 12, 2024. She subsequently developed left shoulder pain and decreased range of motion, diagnosed as shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Her symptoms began approximately 18 days after vaccination and persisted for seven months, requiring physical therapy and two steroid injections. The respondent conceded that Ms. Poulin was entitled to compensation for a Table SIRVA, noting no prior history of shoulder issues, onset within 48 hours of vaccination, and symptoms localized to the vaccinated arm. The parties stipulated to an award of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering. The Chief Special Master issued a ruling on entitlement on June 2, 2026, and a decision awarding damages on June 7, 2026, granting the stipulated award.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01886-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-07-06
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/02/2026) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 27 Filed 07/06/26 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-1886V
EILEEN POULIN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 2, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Anthony Kirby Ferguson, Fales & Fales, P.A., Lewiston, ME, for Petitioner.
Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On November 5, 2025, Eileen Poulin filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following receipt of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on
January 12, 2024. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 14. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the
residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior
award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. Id. at ¶¶ 13,
16-17. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
(cid:3)
1 Because this Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2018).

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 27 Filed 07/06/26 Page 2 of 2
On June 1, 2026, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and
Proffer at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that,
Respondent recommends that [P]etitioner be found entitled to
compensation for a Table SIRVA. Petitioner had no history of
pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to
vaccination that would explain [P]etitioner’s post-vaccination
symptoms; shoulder pain occurred within forty-eight hours
after receipt of an intramuscular PCV vaccination; shoulder
pain and reduced ROM were limited to the side in which the
vaccine was administered; and no other condition or
abnormality has been identified to explain [P]etitioner’s
shoulder pain. See 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(XII)(A), (c)(10).
Additionally, [P]etitioner suffered the residual effects of her
condition for more than six months. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
11(c)(1)(D)(i). Therefore, based on the current record,
[P]etitioner has satisfied all requirements for compensation
under the Act. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-13(a)(1)(A-B)
Id. at 4.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2(cid:3)
(cid:3)

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01886-1
Date issued/filed: 2026-07-07
Pages: 9
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/02/2026) regarding 20 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 1 of 9
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-1886V
EILEEN POULIN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 2, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Anthony Kirby Ferguson, Fales & Fales, P.A., Lewiston, ME, for Petitioner.
Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On November 5, 2025, Eileen Poulin filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following receipt of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on
January 12, 2024. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 14. The case was assigned to the Special Processing
Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On June 1, 2026, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 for pain and
suffering. Proffer at 4. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with
the proffered award. Id. On June 2, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding
Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. Based on the record as a whole, I find
that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In
accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other
information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I
agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2018).

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 2 of 9
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $52,500.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a).
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 3 of 9
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
EILEEN POULIN,
Petitioner,
No. 25-1886V
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S RULE 4(c) REPORT
CONCEDING ENTITLEMENT TO COMPENSATION
On November 5, 2025, Eileen Poulin (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that a January 12, 2024 pneumococcal conjugate (“PCV”)
vaccination caused her to suffer a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3. Petition at 1.
In accordance with Vaccine Rule 4(c), Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims:
Appendix B, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) submits the following as
his responsive report. Medical personnel at the Division of Injury Compensation Programs
(“DICP”) at the Department of Health and Human Services have reviewed the petition and medical
records filed in the case. For the following reasons, respondent recommends that petitioner be
found entitled to compensation under the Vaccine Act.

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 4 of 9
FACTUAL SUMMARY
I. Pre-Vaccination History
Petitioner had no history of shoulder pain or injury in the affected arm prior to the
vaccination at issue. Ex. 6 at 38.
II. Vaccination
Petitioner was a sixty-five-year- old pediatrician when she received the PCV vaccine in
her left arm on January 12, 2024. Ex. 6 at 38.
III. Onset
On January 30, 2024, eight days after vaccination, petitioner sent an email message to her
primary care physician (“PCP”) and reported that she was “still having pain and decreased range
of motion [(“ROM”)]” after her PCV vaccine. Ex. 2 at 2; Ex. 6 at 29. Petitioner also reported
that she spoke with a sports medicine colleague about her shoulder pain and received a home
exercise program. Ex. 2 at 7.
IV. Treatment
On March 21, 2024, two months and one week after vaccination, petitioner presented to
an orthopedist with complaints of left shoulder pain. Ex. 5 at 2. Petitioner reported that the
doctor gave her the PCV vaccine into her bursa and the pain had not gotten better since. Id.
Petitioner reported that she was sore with 7/10 pain and that she had decreased ROM with pain.
Id. Petitioner further reported that she was provided a home exercise program by a sports
medicine colleague. Id. After an exam, the orthopedist diagnosed petitioner with impingement
syndrome of the left shoulder and administered a steroid injection. Id. at 3.
On May 6, 2026, petitioner again presented to the orthopedist for a left shoulder follow-
up. Ex. 5 at 4. Petitioner reported her shoulder pain began “immediately following the [vaccine]
2

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 5 of 9
as well as limited range of motion.” Id. On exam, petitioner had mild tenderness laterally along
the rotator cuff footprint and she had full ROM. Id. at 5. An x-ray revealed no abnormalities.
Id. A possible SIRVA was suspected. Id.
A May 31, 2024 MRI of the left shoulder revealed mild supraspinatus tendinosis with
low-grade intrasubstance tearing at the mild tendon footprint. Ex. 7 at 3. The MRI also revealed
mild subacromial subdeltoid bursitis. Id.
On June 4, 2024, petitioner presented to the orthopedist for a follow-up of her left
shoulder pain. Ex. 5 at 9. Petitioner’s symptoms and exam remained unchanged. Id. A second
steroid injection was administered.
On June 17, 2024, petitioner presented for a telehealth orthopedic visit for her left
shoulder pain. Ex. 5 at 7. Petitioner reported doing “a little better” after the steroid injection and
is scheduled to begin physical therapy. Id.
On June 26, 2024, petitioner presented for an initial physical therapy evaluation. Ex. 5 at
26-30. Between June 26, 2024 and August 15, 2024, petitioner attended six PT sessions for her
left shoulder. Id. at 14, 21, 27, 43, 62. At her last PT session on August 15, 2024, petitioner
reported improved symptoms and reduced pain. Ex. 5 at 62. Petitioner was instructed to
continue with a home exercise program and follow-up as needed. Id.
No further medical records related to petitioner’s shoulder pain have been provided.
V. Duration of Injury
Petitioner received treatment for her shoulder injury through August 15, 2024, or seven
months.
3

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 6 of 9
VI. Summary of Treatment
Over the course of seven months, petitioner underwent the following treatment for her
shoulder symptoms:
(cid:120) 6 sessions of PT; and
(cid:120) 2 steroid injections.
ANALYSIS
Respondent recommends that petitioner be found entitled to compensation for a Table
SIRVA. Petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior
to vaccination that would explain petitioner’s post-vaccination symptoms; shoulder pain
occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular PCV vaccination; shoulder
pain and reduced ROM were limited to the side in which the vaccine was administered; and no
other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain petitioner’s shoulder pain. See 42
C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(XII)(A), (c)(10). Additionally, petitioner suffered the residual effects of her
condition for more than six months. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). Therefore, based on
the current record, petitioner has satisfied all requirements for compensation under the Act. See
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-13(a)(1)(A-B).
PROFFER
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
4

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 7 of 9
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
a lump sum payment, as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following:1
A lump sum payment of $52,500.00 to be paid through an ACH
deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to petitioner, Eileen Poulin.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
CONCLUSION
Respondent recommends that the Chief Special Master enter a decision finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for a left-sided SIRVA occurring within the Table timeframe following
petitioner’s January 12, 2024 PCV vaccination, and that the court award $52,500.00 for all
damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. This amount does not include
reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, which will be determined at a later date.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
JONATHAN D. GUYNN
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
MEGHAN R. MURPHY
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the
right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
5

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 8 of 9
/s/ Alyssa M. Petroff
ALYSSA M. PETROFF
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 307-3852
Email: Alyssa.Petroff2@usdoj.gov
Date: June 1, 2026
6

Case 1:25-vv-01886-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/07/26 Page 9 of 9
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that today, June 1, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading will be served by electronic
mail to Anthony Ferguson at aferguson@faleslaw.com.
/s/ Alyssa M. Petroff
7