Experiencing pain in your shoulder post-COVID vaccination? Here's what you need to understand.
In the ongoing fight against COVID-19, millions of people around the world have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. While the vaccine is generally safe and effective, some individuals may experience a rare complication known as SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration).
After receiving the vaccine, a person may experience redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site. However, symptoms of SIRVA are more pronounced, often including deep, aching or burning pain in the shoulder, sometimes extending into the upper arm. This pain is often worse at night and can last for weeks or even months, beyond the typical shot soreness.
SIRVA occurs when a healthcare professional injects the vaccine too high or too deep into the shoulder, causing inflammation and tissue injury near the shoulder bursa or joint capsule. There is also speculation that injections may introduce bacteria into the joint, potentially leading to infection-associated shoulder conditions.
Treatment for SIRVA typically involves managing inflammation and shoulder mobility loss. Common approaches include physical therapy to restore range of motion, anti-inflammatory medications (like NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections in the shoulder to reduce inflammation, and pain management. Early diagnosis and intervention are beneficial, as severe or persistent cases may require more intensive treatments, such as longer-term physical therapy or in rare instances, surgery.
It is important to note that COVID-19 vaccine injuries, including SIRVA, are not covered under the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) in the U.S. This means affected individuals might need to seek other legal or medical avenues for compensation or treatment support.
While SIRVA associated with any vaccination is relatively rare, it is an underreported and preventable event. Medical professionals learn how to properly administer vaccines during their education, and they are aware of the risks of improper administration. Reports of SIRVA with the COVID-19 vaccine are scarce but underreported, making it difficult to determine its prevalence.
If you experience redness or tenderness at the vaccination site that worsens after 24 hours, the pain becomes worse over time, or the side effects do not go away after 2-3 days, it is advisable to contact a doctor. Treatment options for SIRVA may include rest, hot and cold therapies, physical or occupational therapy, pain relief medication, steroid injections, and in severe cases, surgery.
While SIRVA can be a concern, it is essential to remember the overwhelming benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19. Most people will not experience SIRVA, and the outlook for a person with SIRVA varies, with doctors able to reduce pain and improve range of motion, but treatment may take time.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/shoulder-injury-related-to-vaccine-administration.html [2] National Organization of Disability and Health. (2021). Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Retrieved from https://www.nod.org/resource/shoulder-injury-related-to-vaccine-administration-sirva/ [3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Retrieved from https://www.hrsa.gov/vaccine-compensation/index.html [4] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shoulder-injury-related-to-vaccine-administration/symptoms-causes/syc-20474926 [5] UpToDate. (2021). Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/shoulder-injury-related-to-vaccine-administration-sirva
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