A majority of United States parents are required to vaccinate their children. It is possible to bring a healthy child for a vaccine and then have the child fall ill as a result of the inoculation. Luckily, most vaccine side effects are mild. But, it is important to remember that sometimes, vaccines can have serious side effects as well. One Florida family is feeling the impact of these rare side effects.
A Tampa Bay mother, Carla Grivna, brought her healthy young daughter, Marysue, for the flu shot late last year. Within days of receiving the vaccine, the child became chronically ill. Marysue began suffering from impaired speech and paralysis. She was diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) a rare brain disease with symptoms similar to Multiple Sclerosis. Marysue’s parents believe that her illness was caused by the flu shot she received only days before showing her first symptoms. ADEM is a somewhat mysterious disease that is sometimes caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It is also known to be an uncommon side effect of some vaccines and can even effect individuals without warning or known cause. Although adults can suffer from it, children are more prone to the disease.
The United States government has put the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in place to award those that have been harmed by a vaccine. The fund is financed by an excise tax on routinely administered vaccines. The tax is determined based on how many diseases the vaccine is meant to treat, and is assessed at seventy-five cents per disease. The money is then disbursed to those that are found to have a valid claim by a special court that presides over these matters. This money can be used for medical expenses and other costs related to the vaccine injury.
If you suspect that someone you love has been injured by a vaccine, you may have a claim. Call national vaccine injury attorney Leah Durant at (202)800-1711 to discuss your case today.