A Texas woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Merck regarding the pharmaceutical company’s shingles vaccine, Zostavax, claiming that her husband died due to shingles immunization side effects.

Plaintiff Jean J. of Mineola, Texas filed her wrongful death suit against Merck on March 6, 2019, on behalf of her deceased spouse, Jack J. According to Jean, Jack received the Zostavax shingles vaccine on approximately May 2, 2016.

Jean says that after his inoculation with the vaccine, Jack went into acute respiratory failure and developed acute systolic congestive heart failure, as well as experiencing pneumonia and shortness of breath. Due to the development of these serious health conditions, she says, Jack went to the hospital, where he was admitted into the intensive care unit.

Due to the many health conditions he had developed, he allegedly required extensive medical care and treatment. According to Jean’s lawsuit, Jack’s shingles immunization side effects resulted in serious injuries, mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, physical impairment, and ultimately his death on March 27, 2017.

What is Zostavax?

Zostavax
is a vaccine designed, developed, marketed, and sold by Merck for the purpose of preventing shingles. Zostavax is essentially the same vaccine as the chickenpox vaccine, except that it is much stronger. The vaccination is intended for adults over the age of 60 and was approved by the FDA in 2006.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a skin condition caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have contracted chickenpox, the virus remains in the body for many years in an inactive state. However, the virus may be reactivated by many factors, including disease, aging, stress, or immune modulation from vaccinations. When the virus is reactivated, it may cause shingles.

Shingles is characterized by a painful and itchy blister rash. Often this rash appears in a long stripe across the torso, but it may appear anywhere on the body. Along with a rash, shingles side effects may also include fever, fatigue, light sensitivity, or headache.

Zostavax Side Effects

There are many possible side effects associated with the Zostavax vaccine. According to Merck’s Zostavax website, serious shingles immunization side effects have been reported, including:

• Asthma exacerbation
• Polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness
• Cardiovascular events including congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema
• Injection-site reactions including pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, and warmth
• Headache

Compensation May Be Available for Zostavax Victims

If you or a loved one suffered severe shingles immunization side effects after receiving the Zostavax vaccination, you may qualify to join a Zostavax lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation for your injuries and distress. If your loved one died after receiving the Zostavax vaccination, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit on their behalf.

Jean’s Zostavax Wrongful Death Lawsuit is Case 2:19-cv-00943-HB, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.