We ran this post right before Christmas, when this award was announced by the vaccine court. Medical professionals are wondering why the Pertussis vaccine is not working – and are recommending additional boosters for Americans. There are two sides to every story, however, and this side is rarely showcased in the mainstream media.
We send our thoughts and prayers to Harry and Gina Tembenis, whose son Elias died as a result of a reaction to his DTaP (P = Pertussis/Whooping Cough) vaccination. If you don’t know Harry and Gina, I can personally tell you they are life and love and hope personified. This award does not bring back their precious son. But it reminds our nation that vaccines can cause severe life threatening injury. Read more about the Tembenis family and their foundation HERE.
Read the full claim HERE.
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 03-2820V
Filed: November 29, 2010
_________________________________________
HARRY TEMBENIS and GINA TEMBENIS, ) administrators of the estate of ) ELIAS TEMBENIS, ) Entitlement; Death; ) DTaP; Seizure disorder; epilepsy; Petitioners, ) Cause-in-fact; ) Complex febrile seizure; v. ) No alternative cause ) SECRETARY OF ) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., Boston, MA for Petitioners. Ryan D. Pyles, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. for Respondent.
IV. CONCLUSION
Petitioners have satisfied the legal requirements for proving that Elias’s December 26,2000 DTaP vaccination was a legal cause of his epilepsy and death. Respondent has not overcome Petitioners’ evidence by proving an alternative cause. Therefore, I find that Petitioners have established entitlement to compensation under the Vaccine Act.
IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Dee Lord
Dee Lord
Chief Special Master