Skeens v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 16-423

Petitioner Alexandria Skeens filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging SIRVA after an influenza vaccination on October 15, 2014.
Petitioner alleges residual effects lasting more than six months and that no civil suit or settlement exists.
The matter was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement, concluding the injury is consistent with SIRVA and compensation is appropriate.
Respondent stated petitioner met statutory requirements: >6 months of symptoms, no alternative cause, and satisfaction of legal prerequisites under the Vaccine Act.
Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey accepted respondent’s concession and found petitioner entitled to compensation.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Entitlement to compensation for SIRVA after influenza vaccination	Skeens: vaccination caused SIRVA with >6 months residual effects and no alternative cause	Gov't: concedes entitlement; injury is consistent with SIRVA and statutory prerequisites are met	Entitlement granted based on respondent’s concession and the record
Satisfaction of statutory prerequisites under the Vaccine Act	Skeens: meets duration, causation, and procedural requirements	Gov't: concurs that statutory prerequisites are satisfied	Court finds statutory requirements satisfied and awards entitlement