Shingles is a viral infection that causes an extremely painful rash or blisters on certain parts of the body. Anyone who had chickenpox is susceptible to developing shingles. Patients usually develop a band of blisters and describe the feeling as a sharp shooting pain. The pain can range from moderate to severe and can produce burning or tingling sensations. Individuals at an increased risk of developing shingles may have received the Zostavax vaccine. However, lawsuits allege that the Zostavax vaccine may several severe injuries in patients. If you developed injuries after receiving the Zostavax vaccine, reach out today to learn more about how a Zostavax lawsuit can help you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals harmed by the Zostavax vaccine. Lawsuits against the manufacturer of Zostavax, Merck & Co., claim that the company failed to warn the public about the increased risk of serious injury associated with the vaccine, including blindness, paralysis, brain damage, and death.
In 2006, the FDA approved the Zostavax vaccine produced by American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. The risk of developing shingles increases as you grow older. Therefore, the CDC recommends that people 60 years of age or older should consider a shingles vaccine. Zostavax is a shingles vaccine that reduces the risk of shingles by 51%. The chickenpox virus can linger in a person’s body for years and unexpectedly trigger the shingles virus at any time. To combat shingles, Zostavax supplies a live weakened form of the virus to stimulate immunity. While the FDA approved the vaccine for adults 50 years and older, the CDC states that it is most effective for those between the ages of 60 and 69. Zostavax provides protection from shingles for five years.
Although medical professionals administer Zostavax to prevent shingles, many patients have reported unintended health effects after receiving the vaccine. In 2014, Merck included shingles as a complication associated with Zostavax. In 2017, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices began pushing a new shingles vaccine over Zostavax. This advisory panel to the CDC recommended Shingrix (manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline) in lieu of Zostaxac because it is more effective and presents less risk of serious complications. Shingrix does not contain a live form of the virus, but rather a non-living version of the virus. This reduces the chance of Shingrix patients experiencing an adverse reaction compared to Zostavax patients.
Zostavax patients have complained about a number of serious health complications. In some cases, Zostavax has led recipients to develop shingles, the disease it is supposed to prevent. Other side effects include chickenpox, pain, fever, nausea, and hives. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that Zostavax may also cause more dire and life-threatening disorders such as:
Several plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against Merck & Co. for severe injuries associated with its shingle vaccine. In July 2021, a federal judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania approved one of the first six bellwether cases in the multidistrict litigation against Merck & Co. The first bellwether trial will take place on January 18, 2022. Furthermore, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle II denied Merck’s motion for summary judgment in order to resolve factual questions regarding Plaintiff’s knowledge about the possibility of contracting shingles after the vaccine. Over 2,000 cases are included in the federal litigation with almost the same number of cases filed in state courts in California and New Jersey.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Zostavax, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 274-0139 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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