Side Effects vs. Complications: What to Know After an Immunization

All vaccines have potential side effects. When getting vaccinated, it is a good idea to read about the potential side effects linked to the specific vaccination (or vaccinations) you are receiving—especially those that might make it unsafe to drive home for a period of time. Unfortunately, all vaccinations can all cause complications as well, and these complications may make it necessary to speak with a vaccine lawyer about your legal rights.

Side Effects of Vaccines vs. Complications from Vaccinations

Generally speaking, side effects are considered minor and should be expected to go away on their own within 24 to 72 hours of vaccination. While all vaccines have their own list of potential side effects, some of the more-common side effects include:

• A mild fever
• Headaches
• Mild fatigue
• Soreness or swelling at the injection site
• Warm or red skin at the injection site

Mild side effects are common, and the risk of side effects does not mean that a vaccine is unsafe. As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note, for many people, the risk of developing minor and short-term side effects will be substantially outweighed by the risks of contracting the disease that a vaccine is designed to help prevent.

Since side effects are generally mild and will generally go away within a few days, medical treatment usually isn’t necessary. With that said, if you have concerns, you should not hesitate to contact your doctor. Additionally, if your (or a loved one’s) side effects don’t go away—or if they get worse instead of better—this could be a sign of a potential complication that requires medical intervention.

While side effects can generally be classified as mild, complications from vaccinations can have much more serious consequences. Serious complications can last for months or years, and certain complications can potentially prove fatal.

Some examples of potential complications linked to common CDC-recommended vaccines include:

• Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction) – Many CDC-recommended vaccines have ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. In some cases, these allergic reactions can be severe. Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can also have a variety of long-term consequences.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) – Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a potential complication that has been linked to the flu shot, hepatitis B vaccine and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Early signs of CRPS often include a deep ache or a “pins and needles” sensation, and vaccine recipients experience chronic effects in some cases.
• Guillain–Barre Syndrome (GBS) – Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that has been linked to the flu shot and tetanus vaccines. A GBS diagnosis can have life-altering consequences, and living with GBS (or a variant such as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)) can prove to be physically, emotionally and financially challenging.
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) – Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been identified as a potential complication of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. ITP is a blood disorder that causes issues with clotting—and this presents its own list of potentially serious complications.
• Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) – Shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) are among the most common complications linked to vaccinations. There are several forms of SIRVA—including adhesive capsulitis, brachial neuritis and shoulder bursitis, among others—all of which can have varying short-term and long-term effects.

Again, these are just examples. If you have concerns about a potential vaccine-related complication for any reason, you should seek treatment promptly. If you or your loved one receives a vaccine-related diagnosis, you should also talk to a vaccine lawyer about your legal rights. You may be eligible to recover your family’s costs under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

Seeking Financial Compensation for Vaccine Complications Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

Due to the financial and non-financial costs associated with serious vaccine complications, many of these conditions are covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP is a federal program that provides financial compensation to eligible vaccine recipients on a “no fault” basis. This means that you don’t need to be able to prove that a vaccine was defective or that a vaccine administrator made a mistake to file a claim.

If you are dealing with the financial and non-financial costs of a serious vaccine complication, it will be worth finding out if you have a claim under the VICP. You can start by reviewing the list of covered vaccines. If you think that you may have a claim (or if you aren’t sure), you will want to speak with an experienced vaccine lawyer as soon as possible.

Filing a VICP claim for a vaccine complication involves going to court. You must file a formal petition with the Vaccine Court (the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington D.C.), and you must present sufficient evidence to prove that you are eligible to receive financial compensation. You must also prove how much you are entitled to recover—including compensation for your present and future medical needs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

While filing a VICP claim for a vaccine complication is a complex process, you can hire a lawyer to help you—and you can do so at no cost. You can get started with a free consultation; and, if you have grounds to file a claim, you can rely on your vaccine lawyer to handle your claim for you throughout the process.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Vaccine Lawyer Today

At Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates, our practice is devoted to representing individuals and families who have claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). If you have questions about filing a VICP claim for a vaccine complication, we invite you to get in touch. To discuss your legal rights with an experienced vaccine lawyer at our firm for free, give us a call at 202-775-9200 or tell us how we can reach you online today.