Girl alleged to have developed sleep disorder after swine flu vaccine settles case for €1m

A 16-year-old who suffers sleep attacks after allegedly developing a rare sleep disorder from the swine flu vaccine has settled her High Court action for €1 million.

The teenager, who received the Pandemrix vaccine when she was five, suffers the sudden onslaught of sleep without warning, the court was told. Her mother said the girl has narcolepsy and cataplexy, which affects the muscles .

“In preparing for this case, the enormity of the challenges facing our daughter in her life is hard to ignore,” she said.

“As a parent you only want the best for your child and this is why we are here today to secure some kind of future for our child which she was robbed of. Our daughter’s strong character will get her through life but we lament the life she could have had.”

Mr Justice Paul Coffey thanked the mother for her statement and described it as ” a most chastening summary”. He said he had no hesitation in approving the settlement.

Jonathan Kilfeather SC, for the girl, said she has to have two planned naps a day and suffers from fatigue and anxiety. He said she hopes to go into the fashion and art world after school but will only be able to work part-time.

Indemnity

The girl, through her mother, sued the Minister for Health, the HSE and Glaxosmithkline Biologicals SA (GSK), which produced Pandemrix. GSK was previously given an indemnity by the State concerning any adverse reactions to the vaccine.

The latest settlement follows on the case of a 16-year-old boy who settled his action in November of last year. That ground breaking settlement paved the way for the resolution of 80 cases over the Pandemrix vaccine.

It was agreed under the terms of that settlement that 50 per cent of the settlement figure would be paid out.

The court previously heard there are extensive benefits in the settlement which include educational supports, accommodation costs in relation to third-level education and a “gold” medical card.

In the latest case, the €1 million settlement represents 50 per cent of the total award.