Ever since 2008, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that every American 60 years old and above receive a shingles vaccination whether or not they previously contracted the disease – something that doesn’t quite line up with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) statement that people who have already had the disease are unlikely to suffer from it ever again. Merck & Co. develops Zostavax, the only live virus shingles vaccine currently available to consumers, but recent studies have shown that the side effects may in fact dramatically outweigh the benefits.
Give us a call at (713) 909-7910 to speak with a drug injury lawyer today.
If you suffered serious side effects after receiving the shingles vaccine Zostavax, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation. At Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC, our Houston drug injury attorneys are committed to providing our clients with the legal assistance and guidance they need to maximize their chances of receiving a favorable verdict or settlement. Contact us today to discuss your case.
What’s The Problem With Zostavax?
Not only is the shingles vaccine moderately effective at best – barely more than half of patients who participated in the Shingles Prevention Study were protected from the disease – it may even cause the very illness it was designed to prevent. Shingles can cause serious damage to various vital systems, and may result in serious health complications including:
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
- Congestive heart failure
- Encephalitis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Meningitis
- Stroke
- Varicella pneumonia
Another study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that the shingles vaccine may lead to corneal inflammation, also known as keratitis. In the short term, keratitis can cause excess tears or discharge from your eye, blurred or decreased vision, increased sensitivity to light, and eye pain among other symptoms. However, if keratitis is left untreated, it could lead to even more serious complications, including permanent damage to your vision. It is highly recommended that you speak to your doctor before receiving the shingles vaccine if you have a history of keratitis.
Along with the risk of contracting shingles after being vaccinated, The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) analyses showed that over 1,100 serious adverse events related to shingles vaccinations were reported through the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System between 1990 and September of 2015. 90 of those reported events were deaths associated with shingles vaccinations.
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Hire A Lawyer Today
If you contracted shingles, chickenpox, or suffered adverse effects after receiving a shingles vaccination, you may be able to file a claim to secure compensation. Contact the Houston drug injury lawyers at Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC today to discuss your potential claim. Our attorneys have more 150 years of collective experience and will fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible. Call us today at (713) 909-7910, or fill out our online form to begin your free case evaluation.
