Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia Vaccine Injuries

Pneumonia vaccines have been available in the United States since the 1970s. Today, the CDC recommends a four-dose pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for children under the age of 18 months, and it recommends additional pneumonia vaccines for older children and adults with certain indications. Unfortunately, while pneumonia vaccines are safe for the vast majority of the U.S. population, a small percentage of recipients will need to hire a vaccine injury attorney to help them file claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

Shoulder Injuries Related to Pneumonia Vaccines

The most common injuries related to pneumonia vaccines are shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). These are injuries that result from errors during immunization—not from the ingredients of the pneumonia vaccine itself. There are several different types of SIRVA; and, while these injuries all share certain symptoms (i.e. shoulder pain and limited mobility), all forms of SIRVA have unique symptoms as well.

For example, forms of SIRVA (and their symptoms) that may result from errors during the administration of childhood and adult pneumonia vaccines include:

Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis (also known as “frozen shoulder”) is a form of SIRVA characterized by inflammation of the connective tissue in the shoulder. This inflammation may cause severe and debilitating pain, severe stiffness, and limited range of motion. Many individuals will experience worse pain at night, with movement or in cold weather.

Brachial Neuritis

Brachial neuritis (also known as brachial neuropathy, brachial plexus injury and Parsonage-Turner Syndrome) affects the nerves that carry signals between the central nervous system and the shoulder, arm and hand. Symptoms may include severe pain in the upper arm and shoulder, loss of feel and muscle control, limpness, and paralysis of the affected arm and shoulder.

Shoulder Bursitis

Shoulder bursitis is an inflammatory condition similar to adhesive capsulitis. Common symptoms include pain, swelling and redness. Mild tenderness and warmth are possible symptoms as well. In most cases, the greatest risk associated with shoulder bursitis is the risk of infection. Swelling, pain and/or redness extending away from the injection site can be signs of an infection, and will often be accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is another inflammatory condition that can result from damage to the connective tissue in the shoulder as the result of a pneumonia vaccine administration error. Typical symptoms of shoulder tendonitis include pain and a severely limited range of motion.

While these are some of the most common injuries associated with pneumonia vaccines, they are not the only injuries that can result from a PCV13 or PPSV23 immunization. Anyone who has concerns about a possible vaccine-related injury or illness should seek medical attention promptly.

Contact Vaccine Injury Attorney Leah V. Durant for More Information

In addition to seeing a doctor, vaccine recipients and family members who have concerns about pneumonia vaccine injuries should consult with an attorney about filing a claim under the VICP. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with vaccine injury attorney Leah V. Durant, call 202-800-1711 or request an appointment 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.