Learn the Steps That Doctors, Nurses, and Patients Can Take to Reduce the Risk of Shoulder Injury Related to the Improper Administration of a Vaccine
When patients receive a flu shot or other vaccine, the medical professional administering the injection is responsible for ensuring the vaccination is properly administered. This includes, ensuring the injection is administered at the correct location and enters at the proper depth.
Individuals who receive improperly administered vaccines often suffer shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (more commonly known as “SIRVA”). There are several manifestations of shoulder injury related to vaccination, all of which have the potential to cause chronic pain and long-lasting physical discomfort and impairments. If you or a loved one has experienced shoulder pain following receipt of a vaccine, the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery may be able to help you obtain money for your injury.
Vaccine-related shoulder injuries are preventable. The following are steps that should be taken to avoid the risks of causing shoulder pain and injury during vaccine administration.
Steps for Avoiding Shoulder Pain and Injuries Resulting from Vaccines
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1. Identify an Appropriate Injection Site
In most cases, vaccines should be administered in the central, thickest portion of the deltoid muscle. The deltoid forms the rounded contour of the shoulder and connects the clavicle or collar bone to the humerus bone in the upper arm.
Often shoulder injuries occur when vaccine administrators fail to ensure the vaccine is administered at the proper location or depth, or when the patient is underweight, causing the need to penetrate a nerve or bone.
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2. Select the Correct Needle Length
Since injecting a vaccine too deeply into the deltoid muscle can lead to unnecessary shoulder pain or injury, selecting the correct needle gauge and length is critical to deterring a potential injury. Needle length is proportional to patient body mass, with men and women generally requiring different needle lengths at equal weights.
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3. Properly Inject the Vaccine
Once the injection site and correct needle are selected, the proper technique must be used to administer the vaccine. This generally means:
- Controlling the patient’s arm movement
- Inserting the needle at a 90-degree angle with a quick, dart-like motion
- Reaching the proper insertion depth and then quickly and smoothly pushing the syringe plunger to administer the contents
- Removing the needle smoothly and at the same angle that it was inserted
What to Do if You Experience Shoulder Pain After Vaccination
If you have experienced shoulder pain following vaccination, it is important to seek treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner medical treatment is received, the better your chances may be of reducing the length of your recovery. Be sure to inform your doctor of any recent vaccinations, and of course always follow your doctor’s advice regarding rest, treatment and rehabilitation or prescribed therapies.
Contact the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery
If you have questions about shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery is here to help. The Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery is a national law firm that helps individuals suffering from shoulder injury caused by vaccines recover monetary compensation for their injuries. To learn more, contact us online or at 1-844-789-2047 to find out if money may be available for you.