What to Know if You’ve Been Diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica Following a Vaccination

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease that has been linked to several CDC-recommended vaccines. While the specific reason why these vaccines cause polymyalgia rheumatica remains unknown, the link has been recognized in claims filed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading

Who Is At Risk for Vaccine-Related Complications?

Although the CDC’s recommended vaccines are considered generally safe for most people, some individuals are at greater risk than others for experiencing vaccine-related complications. Understanding your risk level (or your child’s risk level) is important so that you can make informed decisions about whether—and when—to get vaccinated. While the risks of getting vaccinated can outweigh the benefits for some people, it is also important not to avoid immunization based on misguided assumptions. Here is some important information from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): Continue reading

The CDC is Still Encouraging Vaccination for the 2021-2022 Flu Season

While many people think of Spring as the end of flu season, the United States flu season doesn’t actually end until May. Additionally, even once flu season is over, getting the flu remains a possibility—and it can potentially be dangerous for individuals in high-risk populations. As a result, as the end of the 2021-2022 flu season nears, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still encouraging vaccination against influenza. Here is some important information for individuals who have questions about influenza vaccination or concerns about getting a flu vaccine injury. Continue reading

Seeking Compensation for a Loved One’s Death from a Vaccine-Related Injury or Illness

Each year, an extremely small percentage of vaccine recipients in the United States suffer fatal complications. Anaphylaxis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) are among the most common causes of vaccine-related deaths in the U.S., though various other complications can have fatal effects as well. Regardless of the cause, for families that are coping with the loss of a loved one following a vaccination, recovering financial compensation typically involves hiring a vaccine lawyer to file a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading

CDC Provides Guidance for Getting the Flu Shot During the COVID-19 Pandemic

While the COVID-19 vaccine is making headlines – and with good reason – it is important to remember that this isn’t the only vaccine the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend. We are currently in the middle of the 2020-2021 flu season, and the CDC has stated that getting the flu vaccine is “more important than ever” during the pandemic. Continue reading

What are the Symptoms of Flu Shot Injuries?

It’s flu season; and, while the COVID-19 vaccine has taken center stage, it is important not to forget that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that most people get a flu shot each year. When getting immunized against influenza, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of flu shot injuries, as vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant explains below: Continue reading

Should You Still Get a Flu Shot During the COVID-19 Crisis?

Among the many concerns raised by the COVID-19 crisis, one question many people have is whether they should still get their annual flu shot. The 2020-2021 flu season is here, and this is the time of year when many individuals and families visit their doctors, pharmacies and health departments to get vaccinated. Continue reading

How Will COVID-19 Impact the 2020-2021 Flu Season?

As the entire world anxiously awaits the arrival of a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19, flu season is now upon us as well, and that means it is time to start thinking about the annual flu shot. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided guidance for getting a flu shot during the COVID-19 crisis, and it has published a number of other resources related to the impacts of COVID-19 on the 2020-2021 flu season as well. Here are some of the highlights: Continue reading

When Should Pain Go Away After a Flu Shot?

Getting the annual flu shot provides important protection for you and those around you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that, “[a] flu vaccine is the first and best way to reduce your chances of getting the flu and spreading it to others,” and it recommends that almost everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated against influenza each year.

The annual flu shot has a handful of potential side effects, but the CDC describes these side effects as “generally mild.” These side effects include, “[s]oreness, redness and/or swelling from the shot.” Continue reading

NIAID Director: 2019-2020 Flu Shot “Not a Very Good Match” for Most-Common Strain

As the 2019-2020 flu season rolls on, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has issued a warning that this year’s flu vaccine has shown limited effectiveness in fighting one of the most-common strains of the flu virus. According to CNN, NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that this year’s flu shot, “[is] not a very good match for B/Victoria,” which has become one of the most-prevalent strains this flu season. CNN also reports that, “[c]hildren are particularly susceptible to influenza B/Victoria.” Continue reading