What is SIRVA?
SIRVA stands for a condition commonly referred to as Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration. Each year, numerous adults and children who have received vaccines in the U.S. suffer from serious shoulder injuries following receipt of vaccines. Moreover, there have been reports by several medical experts that suggest that instances of SIRVA are on the rise. However, these injuries are not from the vaccine itself and, instead, result from improper vaccine administration.
What are some of the common symptoms and forms of SIRVA?
Symptoms of SIRVA injuries include muscle weakness, pain, stiffness and limited or decreased range of motion. Typically, these symptoms will present themselves in the days, sometimes weeks, after receiving the vaccine, and they should be reported to a doctor.
There are several common diagnoses that may in fact be caused or related to SIRVA. These include: (a) adhesive capsulitis (aka frozen shoulder); (b) rotator cuff injuries; (c) shoulder bursitis; and (d) tendonitis.
How do Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration occur?
Shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration can occur when the medical provider makes a mistake administering the injection. The most common mistakes that lead to these injuries include: (a) injecting a vaccine too high on the shoulder; (b) injecting a vaccine into the shoulder joint or bursa; (c) injecting a vaccine too deeply into the deltoid muscle; and/or (d) injecting a needle too far into the arm of an individual with low body weight.