Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration: What You Need To Know

Vaccines given at walk-in clinicsmay end in shoulder injury as shoulder injuries from vaccines have become one of the most common injuries reported to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

What Are Vaccine Shoulder Injuries?

Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, deemed SIRVA by medical professionals, is an injury caused by incorrect vaccine injection.

Vaccines are either intramuscular (into the muscle) or subcutaneous (under the skin) injections. Intramuscular injections are supposed to be administered in the central and thickest portion of the deltoid muscle. Subcutaneous injections are supposed to be given to the tissue above the triceps muscle.

If a vaccine administrator gives an injection in the wrong place, an injury could happen. Specifically, SIRVA occurs when intramuscular vaccines are given into the shoulder joint opposed to the deltoid muscle. As a result, the tendons, ligaments, and other structures in the rotator cuff can become inflamed. The axillary and radial nerves could also be impacted if vaccines are injected incorrectly.

Symptoms of SIRVA can include pain and limited range of motion. These symptoms can lead patients to consult with their regular doctors who diagnose inflammatory injuries such as bursitis, rotator cuff tears, and more.

Because these injuries resemble other shoulder problems, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration may not be diagnosed as such. SIRVA may be identified if symptoms onset quickly after getting a vaccine.

According to a 2019 article published in the Official Publication of The College of Family Physicians of Canada, SIRVA is a “preventable occurrence.” Using the right size needle and carefully “landmarking” before injection can help prevent these injuries.

Is There an Age Group That Is More Affected by Vaccine Shoulder Issues?

Due to its resemblance to other shoulder problems, SIRVA may be severely underreported. However, according to a 2017 review from Spanish university researchers found 45 cases of shoulder injuries related to vaccinations.

An analysis of these cases showed that SIRVA occurred in mostly females, with 71.1% of cases involving a female patient. The review also showed that the median age for these injuries was 53.6 years, though cases had a large range of 22 to 89.

For What Kind of Shots Are Shoulder Injuries the Most Common?

In a 2017 review of a Spanish database, shoulder injuries related to vaccines were seen most commonly with influenza vaccines with 62% of cases. Pneumococcal vaccines were in second place with 13%. Other notable vaccines linked to these injuries include diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, diphtheria-tetanus toxoid, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis A vaccines.

Do Shoulder Injuries Happen from Vaccines at Pharmacies?

SIRVA occurs almost exclusively due to poor injection technique when administering vaccines. At walk-in clinics, poor training for pharmacy technicians may contribute to these injuries.

Walk-in clinics such as those seen in CVS, Walgreens, and super stores like Target provide an easy and convenient way for consumers to get their vaccines without going to the doctor’s office. Typically, consumers don’t need to pay as much at these locations since they do not have to pay for office visit fees.

Although walk-in clinics provide a valuable service by making healthcare more accessible, receiving vaccinations from untrained pharmacy techs may increase consumers’ risk for vaccine shoulder injuries. Doctors, nurses, and even licensed pharmacists have been formally trained in vaccination techniques and give countless vaccines over the course of their jobs. Unlike these professionals, pharmacy technicians may not have the same training – increasing the chance of incorrect vaccine administration.

What Can I Do About a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration?

Individuals who have suffered from vaccine-related shoulder injuries may be able to take action. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has been around since 1988 as a way for consumers to seek relief for injuries they believe to be caused by vaccinations. Since the program’s inception, around 6,600 people have been compensated through this program.

Americans have received over $4.15 billion from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, The New York Times reported. These settlements help compensate consumers for alleged injuries related to vaccine administration and side effects. This includes immune system damage, arthritis, allergic reactions, nervous system damage, and shoulder injuries.

Consumers interested in seeking relief under this program can speak with a qualified attorney to discuss their eligibility. You may be eligible if you received vaccines from a walk-in clinic at a variety of locations such as:

• CVS MinuteClinic
• Walgreens
• Sam’s Club
• RiteAid
• Target
• Albertsons
• Costco
• Walmart
• Meijer
• HyVee
• Giant (also known as Food Lion or Stop & Shop)
• Kroger
• Wegmans
• Safeway
• And more