This blog is being written in regards to the flu shot. The effects and ramifications of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is newly introduced and is currently being administered, will remain to be seen in future months. The presence of COVID has altered the reporting of flu cases, as and will likely affect the frequency of administration of the flu vaccine.
Flu Season is Upon Us
Flu season typically runs from November through May, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates annual does of flu vaccine to be upwards of 168 million. The flu, or influenza, is a contagious illness which attacks cells in the body’s respiratory tract. Common symptoms of the flu include body aches, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and fever. The flu vaccine is a common preventative measure for millions across the country.
However, the flu vaccine is not without its own ills. Some of the most common side effects of the flu shot are fatigue, fever, redness and pain at the administration site, headaches and nausea. Breathing difficulties, severe swelling, dizzy spells, rapid heartbeat, and wheezing may indicate an allergic reaction.
Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS), although rare, is a severe potential side effect of the flu shot. This neurological disorder causes the patient’s own immune system to turn on nerve cells in the body, mistakenly attacking the individual’s own nervous system. GBS may manifest in symptoms such as weakness or tingling in feet, legs or arms – and can either resolve quickly, or progress to paralysis.
Patients Deserve Compensation
There are many medical research studies that prove vaccines are beneficial for society as a whole. According to statistics, the flu shot prevented over 5.3 million cases of flu-related illnesses in 2017, and decreased the chances of a doctor visit by up to 60%. Still, severe reactions like GBS do occur, and when they do, the consequences can be devastating to quality of life.
In 1986, Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, which established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund (VICP). The law drafted vaccine safety reforms and a conduit by which injured individuals could file claims in federal court rather than sue the people who manufactured and/or administered the vaccine.
Patients with adverse reactions to the flu shot may be eligible for compensation under the VICP. However, the filing process is complex, and hiring an attorney to help you through the process is recommended. Legal expenses are paid through the VICP, and if your flu vaccine claim is successful, you may recover damages including medical bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
As we continue through flu season – and as the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out – we may see additional cases of severe reactions and claims against the vaccine administration. If you feel that you may have a case, call the attorneys at Probinsky and Cole. We will help you navigate the complexities and nuances of filing a claim and getting compensation for your injuries. If you have been harmed by a flu vaccine, or any other type of federally approved vaccine or preventative shot, don’t hesitate to call to learn more about the compensation available to you.
