Flu Shot adverse effects, injuries, and side effects

Influenza vaccination side effects, adverse events and injuries

Everything you need to know about the potential side effects of flu shot injuries and seeking compensation

Syringe with flu shot, illustrating flu shot adverse effects, injuries, and compensation options

Shoulder pain after a flu shot?

How to know if your influenza vaccine caused a shoulder injury

In rare instances, people suffer shoulder pain after that doesn't go away after a vaccination. Lingering shoulder pain after a vaccination is known as SIRVA or shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.

Normal, Non-Severe Shoulder Pain from Shot

pain begins within 24 hours after vaccine injection
symptoms resolve after 24 to 72 hour duration
mild intensity (pain ~1/10 to 3/10), of sore, bruised quality
no functional impairment
improves with use of arm
low-grade fever
swelling, soreness, and redness at the injection site
headache
nausea
fatigue

SIRVA signs and symptoms

shoulder pain starting within 48 hours after injection
pain lasts weeks or months
intense pain (~3/10 to 10/10) of throbbing, burning, or sore quality, worsening with movement
limited arm range of motion, especially raising your arm above shoulder-height or reaching behind your back
shoulder weakness, difficulty lifting or holding objects
inflammation and swelling of the injured shoulder
ineffectiveness of pain medication to mitigate symptoms
sleep disruption

Known Flu Shot Injuries and Adverse Effects of Flu Shot

Shoulder Injuries (SIRVA)

According to the National Institutes of Health, SIRVA, or shoulder injury resulting from vaccine administration, is a term for many shoulder injuries that can occur when a vaccine is injected into the shoulder in the wrong tissue. SIRVA symptoms include severe pain that lasts weeks or months, inability to raise or reach with the affected arm, and shoulder weakness. Learn more about SIRVA here.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

GBS is a form of temporary paralysis. It is caused when your immune system attacks the nervous system. GBS symptoms include numbness and weakness in the arms and legs or loss of ability to talk, swallow, or breathe. GBS is often triggered by an infection, but it can also be caused by certain vaccinations, including the flu shot. The Mayo Clinic describes more about GBS here. Learn more about GBS here.

Sudden fainting (vasovagal syncope )

Sometimes individuals suddenly faint while receiving a vaccine injection. This is caused by changes in blood flow that can cause lack of blood flow to the brain. While sudden fainting is not inherently dangerous, sometimes people are injured falling when they faint, sometimes suffering traumatic brain injuries. The Mayo Clinic describes more about vasovagal syncope here. Learn more about vasovagal syncope here.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock)

Occasionally, flu shots or other vaccinations cause an allergic reaction. These reactions can be dangerous if left untreated. They can even result in cases where a patient's throat swells and they cannot breathe or they suffer cardiovascular collapse. May clinic describes more about anaphylaxis here. Learn more about anaphylactic shock from vaccine administration here.

Flu Shot Facts

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an annual flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the risk of illness and serious complications from the flu. They recommend annual flu shots for all people over six months of age who do not have contraindications.

On average, about eight percent of the US population gets sick from the influenza infection each flu season. Children and the elderly are most likely to get sick. Severity of infection can vary from season to season, with some seasons having more severe infection consequences and symptoms. Severe flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions. All this is based on CDC numbers.

The CDC notes that nearly seventy-percent of US adults aged 65 or older received the flu vaccination in the 2023–2024 season.

The CDC has identified the following individuals as at increased risk for developing serious complications from the flu and for whom, therefore, flu shots are more important to reduce risk of being hospitalized or dying from the flu:

Adults 65 years and older
Children younger than 2 years old
people with body mass index (BMI) of 40kg/m2 or higher
pregnant people and people up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
people with asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, metabolic disorders, blood disorders, endocrine disorders, neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions, kidney or liver disorders, weakened immune system, or history of stroke.
people with certain disabilities, especially with trouble with muscle function, lung function, or difficulty coughing, swallowing, or clearing fluids from the airways
Adverse effects of flu vaccination are relatively rare.

What Do I Do Now?

If you have suffered an adverse effect of a flu shot, whether it is a shoulder injury, allergic reaction, fainting injury, GBS, or something else, you may be entitled to compensation.

But vaccine claims are time limited. Book a free legal consultation to learn about your options.

Book a Free Consultation

Flu Shot Adverse Effect
FAQs

Can I get nerve or muscle damage from a flu shot?

Yes. Flu shots have been known to cause a variety of shoulder damage, including muscle or tendon tearing or damage to nerves. This usually happens when the needle is placed wrong and the vaccine is injected into the wrong tissue. Learn more about flu shot shoulder injuries here.

If you are experiencing severe or lingering shoulder pain after a flu shot, you should consult a medical professional as soon as possible. Click here for tips when meeting with your doctor.

Can I get compensation for a flu shot adverse effect or injury?

Yes, flu shot injuries may qualify for compensation from the United States Government. Qualification depends on the injury, the symptoms, and the kind of flu shot. But there are time limitations to file a claim.

Book a free legal consultation to discuss on your options by clicking here.

What does a flu shot adverse effect or other vaccine injury claim involve?

The United States government offers a no-fault program to compensate individuals suffering a flu shot adverse effect or otherwise injured by a vaccine administration. This program awards compensation from a federal fund. It does not involve suing your doctor, pharmacy, or the vaccine manufacturer.

The claims process involves collecting and reviewing your medical records and submitting sworn statements from you and other witnesses telling your story. If you meet the compensation requirements, the court will award compensation.

To learn more about the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, click here.

Should I hire a vaccine injury law firm?

We highly recommend retaining an attorney to assist you seeking compensation for a flu shot adverse effect case. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program does accept claims by individuals without an attorney, but successfully navigating the program requires both legal understanding and medical specialization.

Most attorneys representing clients in the program do so for free. They are compensated from the fund only after they successfully help their client through the process.

The attorneys at Shoulder Injury Lawyers, Inc. are vaccine injury specialists. Our attorneys and colleagues with whom we partner represent hundreds of vaccine injured clients. We treat every case as a unique story to tell and are highly available to keep you updated and involved throughout the process. And our results speak for themselves.

To book a free consultation to evaluate your case, click here.