The flu shot is one of the most common vaccinations received in the United States. Although most people suffer only minor side effects after the flu shot, many people can suffer a flu vaccine injury. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates, specializes in cases involving adverse reactions to flu vaccinations.
If you have suffered from a negative reaction such as excessive pain after the flu shot, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, shoulder pain, or any other illness subsequent to receiving a flu shot, please contact us today. Flu vaccine injury attorney Leah Durant would be honored to provide you with a free telephone consultation. She is a seasoned litigator whose practice is dedicated to serving those injured by vaccines.
Flu vaccines are comprised of different strains each year.
There are many flu viruses, many more than a single vaccine could protect against. Each year, scientists from the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration attempt to determine what vaccine strains will be prevalent during the following flu season. Flu vaccines are then manufactured based on those educated guesses. Consequently, the influenza vaccine ingredients can vary from year to year. Some years, the flu shot is more effective than others in preventing individuals from suffering with the flu vaccine.
Generally Accepted Side Effects Resulting from the Flu Shot
You cannot get the flu from receiving a flu shot. However, there are some medically accepted side effects of the flu shot. These include serious disease processes such as Guillain Barre Syndrome, or GBS. Other recognized side effects include permanent shoulder injuries related to the administration of the vaccine. Less serious symptoms such as runny nose, wheezing, headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, and fever have all been reported after flu vaccines. Allergic reactions, particularly for those who have severe egg allergies, have also been associated with flu vaccines. As with any vaccine, receiving a flu shot can result in soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site.
Is the flu vaccine safe for the general public?
Seasonal flu season can run from as early as October to as late as May. Not everyone should receive a flu shot. Those who have allergies to eggs should consult with their physician before receiving a flu vaccine. In addition, people who have previously suffered from a severe allergic reaction after receiving the flu shot should generally
avoid vaccination. It is also recommended that those who are suffering from a moderate to severe illness, with or without fever, should wait until they have recovered before receiving their flu vaccination.
Can I get the flu shot if I had Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
People who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome should not receive a flu shot without consulting with their physician. If you have received a flu shot and developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) or the more chronic form Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) in the days or weeks later should contact the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant PLLC today.
When is pain after a flu shot a sign of a serious flu vaccine injury or illness?
Adults know to expect a “pinch” when they get vaccinated, and most children fear going to the doctor’s office to get their shots. However, under normal circumstances, the relatively-minor pain after a flu shot should subside quickly – at most after a couple of days. This pain should also be more of a general soreness rather than a sharp pain, and it should remain localized at the site of the injection.
Any other type of pain after a flu shot may be symptomatic of a flu vaccine injury or illness. Injuries and illnesses that have been linked to the annual flu shot include:
- Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (Brachial Neuritis)
- Shoulder Injury Related To Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Among these injuries, GBS (including its chronic variant, CIDP) has the potential to be one of the most severe. Additionally, as awareness of the link between the annual flu shot and GBS continues to grow, more people are filing claims for flu shot-related GBS under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Early symptoms of GBS can include:
- Difficulty controlling facial movements, including talking, chewing and swallowing
- Difficulty maintaining balance and walking steadily
- Muscle weakness that progressively worsens
- Severe pain that extends to the lower back
- Tinging or “prickling” sensation in the fingers and toes
As these can be symptoms of other flu vaccine injuries as well, it is essential for patients to obtain a thorough differential diagnosis. For GBS (and for all other flu vaccine injuries), beginning treatment promptly can also be critical to mitigating the risk of long-term consequences.
What are my treatment options for flu shot injuries and illnesses?
Since flu shot injuries and illnesses vary broadly in their specific causes and effects, treatment options are dependent upon each patient’s individual diagnosis. However, the costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation can be substantial. Individuals diagnosed with GBS and other flu shot injuries can experience a loss of income, chronic pain and other losses as well, and these are all losses that can be recovered under the VICP.
Vaccine attorney Leah Durant understands how the flu shot can cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome and represents GBS clients in their cases before the Court of Federal Claims, all at no charge to the client. While GBS may be transient, it can be devastating to those who suffer from it. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates also represents those who suffer from the more chronic type of GBS, often referred to as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, or CIDP. Those who suffer from CIDP face years of neurological symptoms with little relief. Vaccine attorney Leah Durant focuses on GBS and CIDP cases and her legal fees and costs are paid by the court, not the client.
The flu vaccine injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Leah Durant & Associates also represent those who have suffered shoulder injuries (or SIRVA) as a result of receiving a flu vaccine. Individuals can be injured by the method that the flu vaccine is administered, not just by the contents of the vaccine. Flu shots are generally administered using needles and if administered improperly, can cause damage to the shoulder. Compensation is available from the Vaccine Injury Fund if your flu shot has caused a shoulder injury. If your doctor has diagnosed you with shoulder pain, adhesive capsulitis, torn rotator cuff, bursitis or tendonitis after receiving a flu shot, or any other vaccination, contact our law firm today.
Vaccine cases involving flu vaccine and GBS/CIDP are common and are often successful. Compensation can be awarded for past and future medical care, pain and suffering lost wages. In addition, any Medicaid liens can be discharged. The Vaccine Compensation Program pays for your flu vaccine injury law firm, not the client who has suffered from GBS or CIDP, so call for a consultation today.