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Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumonia caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae is a serious disease capable of causing lung infection, meningitis, and sepsis. Pneumococcal vaccines protect against streptococcal infection and come in two designs: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). PCV13 (Prevnar 13) protects against 13 strains of pneumococcus and is recommended for younger children (under 2), older adults (over 65), and those at high risk. There are also PCV15 and PCV20 vaccines that cover even more strains and are recommended for adults 18 years or older. PPSV23 protects against 23 strains and is for adults over 65, adults who smoke cigarettes, and those with certain medical conditions. PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20 are conjugate vaccines and use small proteins as antigens to create a more effective immune response to the polysaccharides on the surface of the bacteria. PPSV23 is a polysaccharide vaccine and uses polysaccharides from the bacteria’s capsule without a protein conjugate.
What Injuries have been reported as caused by pneumococcal vaccines?
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Table lists Anaphylaxis, Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), as well as Vasovagal Syncope (fainting) as causally related injuries that presumptively qualify for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Less common adverse events listed in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) include Seizures, Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), Lymphadenopathy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), Encephalopathy and Encephalitis, Myocarditis, and Hypotonic-hyporesponsive Episode (a sudden loss of muscle tone with unresponsiveness). These injuries do not automatically qualify for compensation and require the use of expert medical testimony to establish a probable connection between the vaccine and the injuries.
What compensation is available for a pneumococcal vaccine injury?
To be eligible to seek compensation, the vaccine-related injury must be present for at least six months. The injury must either be listed on the table of vaccine injuries and fit into the specific symptoms and time frames set forth therein, or the petitioner must show through medical evidence that the injury was more likely than not caused by the vaccination. Anaphylaxis, Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), and Vasovagal Syncope injuries presumptively qualify for compensation. However, the petitioner must still provide proof of the degree of damages for medical and rehabilitative expenses, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and in the event of a fatal event, a death benefit. If a petitioner does not have an “on-table” case, then proof of a causal connection between the vaccine and the injury must be provided by expert medical and scientific testimony. However, damages for past and future pain and suffering are limited to a maximum amount of $250,000.
Why contact an experienced vaccine attorney?
An experienced vaccine attorney admitted to the Court of Federal Claims is important for someone who may have been injured by a vaccination. Knowledge about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) process and knowing the medical proofs required to obtain compensation are critical to success. There are complex issues in medicine and immunology that must be analyzed and proven in a claim for a vaccine injury. Even relatively straightforward on-table cases require detailed proof of medical injuries to establish damages. Other injuries not listed on the table require complex medical and expert proofs on both the causal connection and the resultant injuries. The program has strict criteria for proving a vaccine injury that requires legal and medical documentation, and this is best handled by attorneys who have experience in the Vaccine Compensation program. Our attorneys have been handling Vaccine Injury Compensation claims since the inception of the Program in 1988.
Vaccine Injury

Combining Extensive Legal and Medical Knowledge
In any injury claim, medical issues are of paramount importance. Therefore, your lawyer must have a strong understanding of how these matters relate to your lawsuit. One of our firm’s partners, Armand Leone, is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist, in addition to being a lawyer. His intensive medical knowledge is invaluable in the investigation and litigation stages of every case. Our attorneys will work closely with you throughout your case to develop a strategy that suits your needs.