Arm Sore After a Meningitis Vaccine? You May Have SIRVA

The meningitis vaccine, also known as meningococcal B vaccination, is recommended for preteens and teens. This age group is at an increased risk for meningococcal disease, which is a rare but serious illness.

Preteens will typically receive one dose before high school. Teens and young adults entering college may receive a booster meningitis vaccine as well.

If you didn’t get the meningitis vaccine as a child, you may receive it as an adult.

A sore arm is a common side effect of the meningococcal B vaccine. But if your arm pain is worse than normal and lasts for weeks? 

In this scenario, your symptoms may not be a mild side effect–but rather, a serious condition known as SIRVA.

SIRVA, or shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, can happen when a meningitis vaccine is administered too high or too deeply into the shoulder. As a result, the injection causes inflammation in the shoulder joint, causing extreme shoulder pain and reduced range of motion. 

If you are experiencing arm pain from a meningococcal vaccine and suspect you have SIRVA, you may be eligible for compensation through a unique national program. At Shannon Law Group, our vaccine injury attorneys help people file claims for SIRVA through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). 

Call now to schedule a free consultation with one of our vaccine injury attorneys: (312) 578-9501.

Keep reading to learn more about arm soreness following a meningitis vaccine. We also explore what to do if you think you have SIRVA. 

How Long Does Arm Soreness Last After the Meningococcal Vaccine?

Arm pain after a meningitis shot is a common side effect. According to the CDC,  it’s normal to experience soreness and redness at the injection site within 1-2 days following a meningitis vaccine. You may also notice muscle pain in your arm. 

If this symptom lingers and gets worse over weeks or months, you likely have a rare condition known as SIRVA.

A shoulder injury related to vaccine administration can happen when a healthcare professional improperly injects the vaccine into your shoulder. They either give the vaccine too high up or too deep into the shoulder. The misplaced needle causes inflammation in the shoulder joint, causing damage to the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in the area.  

What Are the Telltale Signs of SIRVA after a Meningitis Vaccine?

So, how do you know if you have a shoulder injury from the meningococcal shot?

Common symptoms of SIRVA include:

• Shoulder pain within 48 hours of vaccination. Your shoulder may feel sore at first, but as time goes on, the pain gets worse and worse. 
• Reduced range of motion. You may suddenly find it hard to do daily activities that you used to, such as getting dressed or unloading the dishwasher. 
• Shoulder and/or arm weakness and stiffness. It can be hard to lift common objects, such as your grocery bags. 

SIRVA is an umbrella term that explains how a vaccine has caused your shoulder injury. However, it’s not the official diagnosis you will get from a doctor.

When you go to visit your doctor, you may be diagnosed with one of several shoulder injuries, such as a frozen shoulder, a rotator cuff injury, or even impingement syndrome.

How To Treat A Sore Arm Following Meningococcal Vaccine Administration  

We strongly recommend that you see a doctor if you believe you have SIRVA from your meningitis vaccine.

When you have your initial doctor visit, they will ask questions about your shoulder pain and perform a physical examination. They may recommend an MRI scan of your shoulder to better understand what’s going on and what treatment options are best for you. 

At this point, you may be diagnosed with one of the following shoulder injuries related to SIRVA:

• Frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis).
• Shoulder tendinitis.
• Shoulder bursitis.
• Rotator cuff injury or tear.
• Shoulder impingement syndrome (swimmer’s shoulder).

No matter what diagnosis you receive, your SIRVA treatment plan may involve the following:

• Rest. Resting your shoulder and arm prevents further injury and reduces inflammation.
• Pain medications. When your shoulder pain starts, you’ll likely take over-the-counter pain medication to help you get through the day. Depending on the severity of your shoulder pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. 
• Physical therapy. Almost every doctor recommends it, and for good reason. Physical therapy will restore the loss of strength and motion in your shoulder. It will also prevent your shoulder from getting worse. 
• Steroid shots. Steroid injections reduce inflammation in your shoulder joint. 
• Surgery. Surgery may be recommended if nothing else works to remove scar tissue and repair the damage. 

Receiving Compensation For Your Meningitis Vaccine Injury 

You may be entitled to compensation for your SIRVA diagnosis from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) if you meet the two criteria points below:

1. You experienced symptoms within 48 hours of meningitis vaccination, AND your symptoms persisted for at least six months. 
2. You file your claim within 3 years of the date of vaccination. 

If both of these are applicable to you, you may be eligible for compensation for SIRVA through the VICP.

The compensation from the program covers the following:

• Out-of-pocket medical bills.
• Past and future lost wages.
• Pain and suffering (up to $250,000). 
• The cost of future medical treatment.

The program also covers your attorney fees, so at no point would you ever pay a penny for filing a claim in the program. This way, you can focus on the most important thing: getting better.

At Shannon Law Group our team of experienced vaccine attorneys is here to help you. From start to finish, our SIRVA attorneys will be there with you throughout your SIRVA case.

Want to get started? We offer free consultations, and we are only a phone call away. You can give us a call at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form below, and someone will be in touch within 24 hours.