Learn About Shoulder Pain or Injury That May Result Following the Annual Flu Vaccine

As we approach the peak of the 2016-2017 flu season, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are urging people to be vaccinated with the annual flu vaccine. Vaccination rates have been declining in recent years, and health officials are seeking to reverse this trend. Despite the 2015-2016 flu vaccination’s limited effectiveness, according to the CDC, “Getting an annual flu vaccine is [still] the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu.”

But, like all vaccines administered by injection, the annual flu shot carries certain risks. These include the risk of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Vaccine-related shoulder injuries can have serious complications, and if you suspect that you or someone you love may have experienced SIRVA, it is important that you seek medical attention right away.

Initial Warning Signs of Shoulder Injury Resulting from Vaccinations
While getting a flu shot can be a painful experience, the pain experienced from receiving an injection should resolve on its own, and without further incident. The following is a list of common forms of SIRVA and the initial warning signs of this potentially-serious injury:

Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
Adhesive capsulitis is a form of SIRVA that is characterized by “significant restriction of both active and passive shoulder motion,” and that is generally diagnosed “in the absence of a known intrinsic shoulder disorder.” Initial symptoms include:

• Gradual onset of progressively-worsening shoulder pain
• Progressive stiffness in the shoulder
• Loss of ability to rotate the shoulder

Brachial Neuritis
Brachial neuritis is an inflammatory condition that can result from damage to the brachial plexus (the nerves originating in the upper shoulder) during a vaccine injection. Initial symptoms of brachial neuritis may include:

• Sudden onset of severe arm or shoulder pain
• Weakness in the arm or shoulder
• Numbness in the arm or shoulder

Shoulder Bursitis
Errors during administration of the flu shot can also damage the bursa (the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint). This condition, known as shoulder bursitis, is typically characterized by:

• Localized pain in the shoulder joint
• Increased pain when moving the arm or shoulder
• Swelling and tenderness in the shoulder

Tendonitis
Vaccination errors can also cause damage to the tendons that connect the muscles and bones in the shoulder, leading to an inflammatory condition known as tendonitis. Initial symptoms of vaccine-related shoulder tendonitis can include:

• Dull, aching pain in the shoulder
• Tenderness and mild swelling in the shoulder
• Limited shoulder mobility

Are You Concerned About SIRVA? Contact Vaccine Lawyer Leah Durant
If you are concerned that you or someone you love may have suffered a shoulder injury during a flu shot, the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC can help. Vaccine lawyer Leah Durant represents individuals nationwide in flu shot injury claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). To learn more about your rights under the VICP, including your right to no-cost legal representation, call (202) 800-1711 or request a free consultation online today.

Leah Durant Bio
Experienced vaccine attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation claims. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a law office 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.