A 17-yr-old boy who claimed he developed a rare sleeping disorder after getting a swine flu shot as a young child has settled his claim for damages in the High Court for €750,000, reports The Mirror.
The teenager, who cannot be named by court order, was four years old when he received the Pandemrix vaccine in March 2010.
His lawyer, Bruce Antoniotti SC, told the High Court that the teenager was probably one of the youngest people to receive the vaccine.
The attorney said the boy did not develop symptoms of narcolepsy until seven years later, when he suffered from excessive fatigue.
The attorney said the narcolepsy was not diagnosed until 2019 and that the boy also suffers from cataplexy, which involves loss of muscle control, reports The Mirror.
The lawyer told the judge that the boy was afraid to travel alone in case he fell asleep and as a result did not leave the house often.
The boy, through his mother, sued the Health Secretary and the HSE. After mediation, an agreement was reached.
The case involved the fact that the symptoms allegedly occurred seven years after the vaccination.
The attorney said that symptoms of narcolepsy can appear within six months to a year.
As part of the settlement, the boy will be able to take advantage of the extensive benefits available to those who settle cases related to swine flu vaccine allegations, reports The Mirror.
These include education grants, accommodation costs within the framework of higher education, a “gold” health card and childcare costs.
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