An American woman is suing AstraZeneca, alleging she became “permanently disabled” from side effects after participating in a U.S. clinical trial for the company’s COVID-19 vaccine. Brianne Dressen, 42, claims in a Utah court that she suffered a severe neurological disorder following her involvement in the 2020 trial. Dressen, a former teacher, reported experiencing adverse effects shortly after receiving her vaccine dose.
This lawsuit appears to be the first of its kind in the U.S., where the AstraZeneca vaccine was trialed but not approved, as reported by the Telegraph. Dressen alleges she signed a contract with the UK-based pharmaceutical company, agreeing to cover “reasonable” medical costs for injuries not caused by her own actions.
The timing of Dressen’s lawsuit aligns with AstraZeneca’s recent court admissions in the UK regarding rare but serious vaccine side effects
According to Dressen, intense pins and needles sensations began soon after her vaccination in November 2020, but AstraZeneca did not pay for her medical treatment. She told reporters that she had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, a painful condition linked to nerve damage, which she attributes directly to the vaccine.
Dressen described the ongoing severe discomfort that has rendered her unable to work: “This thing took me out of my job – I’m still permanently disabled. I still have that horrific nightmare of the pins and needles sensation coursing through my body, head to toe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” she said.
Additionally, Dressen disclosed that despite several hospitalizations and accumulating thousands of dollars in medical bills, she declined a minor settlement from AstraZeneca, which would have restricted further claims.
In her legal filing, she expressed how drastically her life has changed, stating she has become “a shadow of her former self,” with significant limitations on her ability to work, engage in physical activities, parent effectively, and drive.
AstraZeneca has not yet responded to these allegations.
The timing of Dressen’s lawsuit aligns with AstraZeneca’s recent court admissions in the UK regarding rare but serious vaccine side effects, including blood clots and low platelet counts. This has led to over fifty individuals joining a class action lawsuit in the UK. Additionally, AstraZeneca requested the withdrawal of its vaccine in European Union countries last week and announced a global discontinuation due to commercial factors and an excess of more recently updated COVID-19 vaccines.