Brittany Burnette, a former nursing home director, spent years caring for others. But after taking the Covid vaccine, she developed a condition that caused her bones to decay.
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, Burnette worked in a Tennessee nursing home. She saw patients pass away alone and even missed her son’s birthday to keep her family safe. When vaccines became available in January 2021, she took the Pfizer shot, hoping to protect her patients.
At first, she felt fine. But by July 2021, severe pain hit both of her hips. At just 31, doctors told her she had arthritis. The pain worsened, forcing her into a wheelchair. Another doctor ordered an MRI, revealing that her hip bones were deteriorating. She had her first hip replacement in December 2021 and the second in early 2022.
But her hip issues were only the beginning. Over the next few years, she endured multiple surgeries—on both shoulders, both knees, her elbow, and her feet. A doctor later linked her condition to her previous Covid infection and the vaccine.
Burnette described the experience as debilitating, saying she had to leave her job and go on disability. She mourned the life she thought she would have.
Many people suffering post-vaccine complications struggle to find support. A recent Yale study identified a condition called ‘post-vaccination syndrome’, which may explain some of these cases. Symptoms include brain fog, dizziness, and nerve issues, and the vaccine may activate a dormant virus called Epstein-Barr.
While Burnette still supports vaccines, she has become cautious. She and her children have had all their routine vaccinations, but she no longer trusts newer ones.
She also worries about how her condition affects her children. Despite this, her husband and 10-year-old son have stepped up to help.
Doctors diagnosed Burnette with multifocal avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition where bones die due to lack of blood supply. Research shows a link between AVN and Covid infection, but no studies confirm a connection to vaccines. Her doctors believe the vaccine caused small clots that cut off blood supply to her bones.
Burnette has also suffered blood clots, kidney issues, and severe pain. She says some days, the pain makes it hard to get out of bed.
Despite everything, she remains hopeful. Her family keeps her going.
