The flu shot is the most widely administered vaccine in the United States. Approximately half of the U.S. population gets immunized against the flu each year. While the vast majority of flu shot recipients experience no ill effects or only mild side effects, a small percentage of recipients are diagnosed with immunization-related injuries and illnesses.
By far, the most common type of flu vaccine injury is a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Flu vaccine administration errors account for the greatest portion of flu vaccine injury claims filed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). But there are many other types of flu shot injuries as well, and all of these injuries can potentially qualify flu shot recipients for VICP compensation.
Injuries and Illnesses Linked to the Flu Shot
While SIRVA and certain other vaccine-related injuries and illnesses are relatively common, it is important to put this in context. During the 2020-2021 flu season, approximately 193.8 million Americans got vaccinated according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2021, the VICP received a total of 2,057 new petitions—covering all eligible vaccines. While only a small percentage of individuals and families who are coping with the effects of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses file claims, this disparity nonetheless helps to demonstrate the relative rarity of flu vaccine injuries and illnesses.
But flu shot injuries and illnesses do happen, and individuals and families do receive compensation for these medical conditions under the VICP. Along with SIRVA, this includes medical conditions such as:
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Bell’s Palsy
Brachial Neuritis
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Encephalitis and Encephalopathy
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Intussusception
Transverse Myelitis
Vasovagal Syncope
The symptoms of these conditions can vary widely, and they are often symptomatic of non-vaccine-related conditions as well. As a result, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can often prove challenging. With this in mind, anyone who is experiencing (or whose child is experiencing) symptoms beyond the common side effects of a flu shot should seek medical attention promptly, and they should be sure to inform their healthcare provider of their recent immunization. Common side effects include:
Filing a VICP Claim for a Flu Shot Injury or Illness
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program pays financial compensation to individuals and families who are coping with the effects of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. It has paid more than $4.3 billion to vaccine recipients and their families since 1988. More than half of all successful VICP claims have involved flu shot injuries. To learn more about filing a claim for a flu shot injury or illness, you can read our VICP FAQs.
Schedule a Free Consultation about Your Flu Vaccine Injury Claim
To find out if you are eligible to receive compensation under the VICP for a flu shot injury or illness, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC. Call 202-800-1711 or request an appointment online today.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.