Over 36 million people aged 50 and older received the shingles vaccine Zostavax. However, by March 2018, the FDA had received 102,962 reports of Zostavax side effects. Many included dangerous and deadly infectious diseases.
About Zostavax
Zostavax vaccinates against shingles. Shingles are the same virus that causes chickenpox. Whereas chickenpox affects the younger population, shingles occur in those over 60. Approved by the FDA in 2006, it was the only shingles vaccine until 2017 when Shingrix came on the market. Zostavax works by a doctor injecting a patient with a weak, living form of the varicella-zoster virus. The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles. This vaccine has 17x more live varicella zoster virus in it than the chickenpox vaccine.
Merck manufactures the live virus in fetal lung cells, which can end up in the vaccine causing serious side effects.
Zostavax Infectious Diseases
Zostavax can cause infectious diseases to spread throughout the body. Usually, these effects present within six months of injection. They include:
- Shingles
- Post Herpetic Neuralgia
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Facial paralysis
- Loss of hearing (Ramsay Hunt)
- Balance problems
- Cranial Nerve Palsies
- Acute cardiovascular events
- Heart attack
- Hemorrhagic stroke
- Cardiac issues
- Exacerbation of CHF
- Cardiomyopathy
- Vision problems (loss, infection, retinal damage)
Anyone who developed one or more of these side effects after receiving Zostavax should seek compensation from a knowledgeable complex litigation attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm.
We Want to Help Zostavax Victims
It is your right to be informed about the long-term risks associated with the medications you take, and it is the responsibility of drug companies to provide this information. If you or a loved one has developed uncontrollable bleeding after taking Zostavax, you should demand accountability.
We want to help send a message that this is not acceptable. Also, we are advocates for consumers who have been harmed by dangerous products, and we have the experience necessary to successfully litigate these cases.
Contact the Michael Brady Lynch Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about seeking justice. Compensation may be available for any medical expenses associated with this ordeal, as well as for your physical and emotional suffering. There is no obligation.
How We Can Help
When you experience side effects from a dangerous drug, it can have devastating effects on your entire life. Compensation for injuries and damages could be available.
The recoverable losses include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of an ability to work; and
- Pain and suffering
If a person dies from complications from a drug, family members may be able to recover damages for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of economic support; and
- Loss of companionship
If the conduct of a drug company in manufacturing and selling drug is found to be highly reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future. Therefore, if you developed an infectious disease after taking Zostavax, please speak to us to learn more about your rights.