Vaccines like the flu or tetanus shot can be a valuable tool in trying to maintain public health, but in rare cases, they can lead to painful and unexpected complications. One such condition is bursitis—a type of shoulder injury that can occur when a vaccine is improperly administered. While most people recover quickly from vaccinations,… Read more »
Most people associate flu or tetanus shots with minor, short-lived soreness in the shoulder and at the injection site. However, for a small number of individuals, the administration of a flu shot, tetanus shot, or other vaccine can lead to a much more serious shoulder injury called adhesive capsulitis, which is commonly referred to as… Read more »
SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) refers to types of shoulder injuries that occur as a result of the administration of a flu shot, tetanus shot, or other vaccination. These injuries most frequently occur when the shot is administered too high or too deep into the shoulder joint or bursa, rather than the deltoid… Read more »
One of the most commonly administered vaccines is the TDaP booster, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Tetanus doesn’t spread from person to person but can enter your body through cuts or wounds. Diphtheria and pertussis are infections that spread from person to person. All three diseases can cause serious, life-threatening health… Read more »
SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related To Vaccine Administration) is a term used to describe a range of shoulder injuries that result from the improper administration of vaccines. While vaccinations are generally safe and well-tolerated, the way a shot is given can impact the surrounding tissues, leading to pain and limited shoulder mobility. The anatomy of the… Read more »
As previously discussed in other posts, shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) often occur as a result of improper administration techniques on the part of the person giving the flu shot, TDaP (tetanus booster), or other vaccination. Sometimes this comes in the form of administering the shot with an improper size needle, but more… Read more »
Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases and protect public health. However, like any medical intervention, vaccines can sometimes cause adverse reactions or injuries. One of the rare but serious types of vaccine-related injuries is called Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). SIRVA is a condition that occurs when… Read more »
As you may know, shoulder injuries can occur as a result of receiving a flu shot, Tdap, or other vaccination. Typically, these injuries are caused when the person or provider giving the shot administers it in an improper location on the arm, typically too high on the shoulder. However, in some instances, the administration of… Read more »
If you’ve gotten a flu shot, Tdap, or other vaccination recently, you may notice that some feel like they hurt worse than others. It turns out the reason for that can be multifactorial. The length, gauge, and dullness of the needle can have an effect on the painfulness of the shot. So too can the… Read more »
As detailed in prior entries, shoulder injuries can occur as a result of receiving a flu shot, Tdap, or other vaccination. Typically, these injuries are caused from improper needle placement by the person or provider administering the shot. However, in rare instances, the use of an improper gauge or length needle can also cause injury… Read more »
As detailed in prior entries, shoulder injuries can occur after the administration of a flu shot or other vaccination. Typically, these injuries are caused from poor needle placement by the person administering the vaccine, use of an improper gauge or size needle, or a localized reaction to the vaccine serum itself. The Advisory Committee on… Read more »
We’ve previously detailed some important differences and distinctions between normal shoulder pain following a flu shot or other vaccination and what might be the symptoms of a more serious shoulder injury. In this post, we will go over some things to keep in mind if you believe you may have suffered such a shoulder injury…. Read more »
Below is a link to a press release outlining legislation proposed by U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, U.S. Representative Fred Upton (R-MI), former Chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ranking Member of the House Ways & Means Oversight… Read more »
As we’ve detailed previously, shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (otherwise known as “SIRVA”) are the most common injuries resulting from flu shots and other vaccines. SIRVA can happen when a vaccine is injected into the capsule of your shoulder joint instead of your deltoid muscle. It can also occur if the needle being used… Read more »
Shoulder injuries are by far the most common injury suffered by people receiving vaccinations and are by far the most common type of claim filed in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“VICP”). As detailed in prior entries, the Department of Health and Human Services recently tried to roll back protections for people suffering shoulder injuries… Read more »
As you may have read previously, on July 20, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to amend the Vaccine Injury Table by removing Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”), vasovagal syncope, and the new vaccines category, Item XVII. This proposed Rule change would have had… Read more »
It seems that even the Incredible Hulk is not immune from SIRVA injuries as actor Lou Ferrigno recently revealed he was hospitalized after a vaccine shot for pneumonia left fluid in his bicep. This occurrence was reported after the star of the Incredible Hulk series recently tweeted out a photo of himself from a hospital… Read more »
Below is a link to an article appearing in the CBC News. In it, the author relays some advice he or she received from a pharmacy professor at the University of Waterloo for reducing the likelihood of developing a SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) when receiving a flu shot. The primary advice communicated… Read more »
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada provided tips for reducing the risk of getting a shoulder injury when receiving a flu shot and also corroborated the need for health care professionals to understand how these injuries can happen and to take certain precautions to minimize their occurrence. The… Read more »
Below is a link to an article detailing the injuries and experiences of a Minnesota woman who received a flu shot at the pharmacy of her local grocery store. Like most people, she was advised that she would have soreness in her shoulder for a couple of days after the shot. However, she began to… Read more »
