Hopkins v. Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services

OPINION

HODGES, Judge.

Celeste Hopkins experienced multiple occurrences of syncope (fainting) within a short period of time after receiving a diphtheria/tetanus vaccination. She was admitted to an emergency room the day after her vaccination, and she was treated by the insertion of a pacemaker to regulate her heart. She contends that a tetanus vaccination caused her to have a heart condition that resulted in the fainting spells. Ms. Hopkins brought this action under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10. The Special Master denied Ms. Hopkins compensation, and…