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Reducing the Risk of SIRVA (and Its Long-Term Complications)

Posted by Leah Durant ⋅ January 17, 2020

With a recent report concluding that vaccination errors account for more than half of all vaccine-related injuries, it is important for individuals who are getting vaccinated to be aware of the steps they (and their healthcare providers) can take to reduce the risk of shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).

Understanding Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

In order to understand how to reduce the risk of vaccine-related shoulder injuries, it is first necessary to understand how these injuries occur. Unlike Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), anaphylaxis and other complications that can result from adverse biological responses to particular vaccine ingredients, vaccine-related shoulder injuries result from physical damage to the muscle, nerves or other soft tissue caused by errors during a vaccine injection. Selecting an improper injection site, using a wrong-size needle and inserting the needle at the wrong angle can all lead to injuries – and they are all mistakes that can be avoided with the exercise of proper care by the individual administering the vaccination.

4 Tips for Reducing the Risk of SIRVA and SIRVA-Related Complications

So, how can vaccine recipients help reduce their risk of shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration? Some tips include:

1. Be Patient

No one likes getting vaccinated. But, no matter how busy your day is, and no matter how much you might want to get your vaccination over with as quickly as possible, it is important to be patient and take your time when it is time for your immunization. Allow the person administering your vaccine to take the time he or she needs to prepare and administer your injection properly, and do not make him or her feel rushed by making clear that you have other places to be.

2. Know the Proper Injection Site

Most CDC-recommended vaccines should be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection in the deltoid muscle, which is located on the outside of the shoulder at the top of the upper arm. In order to reduce the risk of the needle being inserted too high on the shoulder or too low on the arm, make sure you fully expose the deltoid region, and ask your healthcare provider if he or she has adequate access to the proper injection site.

3. Know the Symptoms

While a small amount of pain at the injection site is normal following an immunization, severe and lingering pain is usually the first sign of a vaccine-related shoulder injury. There are a number of other common symptoms as well, and knowing how to spot these symptoms can help you distinguish between routine injection pain and a potentially-serious shoulder injury.

4. Know When to Seek Medical Attention

As a general rule, anyone experiencing pain beyond 48 hours after a vaccination should see their doctor for an exam and diagnosis. However, individual circumstances will vary; and, when in doubt, it is always best to err on the side of caution.

No-Cost Legal Representation for Individuals Diagnosed with SIRVA

For individuals who have received a SIRVA diagnosis, financial compensation may be available through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP pays compensation for individuals’ medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering resulting from SIRVA and other vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. To learn more in a free and confidential consultation with vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant, please call 202-800-1711 or request a free initial consultation online today.

Leah Durant Bio

Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.