Shoulder Pain After Vaccination: What You Need to Know About SIRVA Injuries

After receiving a vaccine—such as a flu shot or tetanus shot—it’s normal to experience minor arm soreness or shoulder stiffness. For most people, this discomfort goes away within a day or two.

However, some individuals develop severe and long-lasting shoulder pain after vaccination. In rare cases, the pain can persist for weeks, months, or even years. This condition is known as SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) and is officially recognized by the medical community.

What Causes SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccination)?

SIRVA occurs when a vaccine is injected too high on the arm or too deep into the shoulder joint. Instead of entering the deltoid muscle, the needle penetrates the shoulder joint capsule, causing inflammation and injury.

This inflammation can damage several important structures within the shoulder, including:

• Ligaments

• Tendons

• Bursae (fluid-filled sacs)

• Muscles

As a result, SIRVA injuries may present as or lead to conditions such as:

• Rotator cuff tears

• Shoulder bursitis

• Tendonitis

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)

Signs and Symptoms of SIRVA

SIRVA symptoms typically begin within 48 hours of vaccination. The most common signs include:

• Sharp or intense shoulder pain after a vaccine

• Reduced range of motion

• Weakness in the affected arm

• Difficulty with daily tasks like dressing, lifting, or reaching

People with SIRVA often struggle with routine activities and, in many cases, find it difficult to continue working—especially in physically demanding jobs.

What to Expect If You Have SIRVA

While mild shoulder pain after a vaccine may resolve on its own, SIRVA injuries usually require medical treatment. After diagnosis, doctors may recommend:

• Physical therapy

• Corticosteroid injections

• Pain medication

• In some cases, shoulder surgery

Most patients recover within 12 to 24 months, but some may experience permanent shoulder pain or limited mobility.

Learn More About SIRVA and Your Legal Options

If you’re dealing with a shoulder injury caused by a vaccine, you’re not alone—and you may be entitled to compensation.

Keep reading to learn more about:

• How SIRVA happens

• Common SIRVA symptoms

• Treatment options and recovery time

• How to file a SIRVA claim

• Whether you should hire a SIRVA attorney

Speak to a Vaccine Injury Attorney Today

If you believe you’ve suffered a vaccine-related shoulder injury, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced SIRVA lawyer. We’ll help you determine whether you’re eligible for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

📞 Call (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form on this page to get started. We’ve helped hundreds of clients nationwide file successful SIRVA compensation claims.

What Is SIRVA? (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration)

As described earlier, SIRVA occurs when a vaccine is injected improperly—either too high or too deep into the shoulder. This is often due to:

• Incorrect needle placement

• Using a needle that’s too long

Instead of being administered into the deltoid muscle, the vaccine is injected into the shoulder capsule, leading to inflammation, nerve irritation, and damage to surrounding tissues.

Common complications from SIRVA include:

• Rotator cuff injuries

• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

• Shoulder bursitis

• Tendonitis

How Common Is SIRVA?

SIRVA is considered rare, but it is likely underreported. Many healthcare providers and patients may not recognize the connection between shoulder pain and vaccine administration.

Despite its rarity, SIRVA is currently the most commonly compensated serious vaccine injury under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Most SIRVA claims are linked to the flu shot or tetanus vaccine, but it can occur after other vaccines as well.

At our firm, we’ve successfully represented hundreds of clients across the U.S. who developed SIRVA after flu shots and other vaccinations.

How Do I Know If I Have SIRVA? Common Symptoms of a Vaccine-Related Shoulder Injury

SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) is not a single diagnosis—it’s an umbrella term that covers several types of shoulder injuries caused by vaccines, each with its own symptoms.

After getting a flu shot, tetanus vaccine, or another intramuscular injection in the arm, you might feel some soreness—that’s normal. But when shoulder pain after vaccination doesn’t go away, or gets worse, you may start asking:

“Do I have SIRVA? What does SIRVA feel like?”

Most people with a vaccine-related shoulder injury report at least three or more of the following SIRVA symptoms:

✅ Severe Shoulder Pain

The most common and recognizable symptom of SIRVA is intense shoulder pain that begins within 48 hours of receiving the vaccine. This pain may:

• Be constant or intermittent

• Worsen with movement

• Disrupt sleep

• Not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers

If your shoulder pain lasts more than a few days and continues to interfere with your daily life, it may be a sign of SIRVA.

✅ Decreased Range of Motion

SIRVA can significantly limit your shoulder mobility, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as:

• Reaching overhead

• Getting dressed

• Brushing your hair

• Lifting or carrying objects

This symptom often overlaps with diagnoses like frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, common outcomes of vaccine-related shoulder injuries.

✅ Weakness or Loss of Strength in the Arm

In addition to reduced motion, you may notice weakness in the affected arm. Tasks that once felt easy—like lifting groceries, typing, or pushing open a door—can become challenging or painful.

✅ Inflammation or Swelling Around the Injection Site

SIRVA injuries often cause inflammation inside the shoulder joint. You might notice:

• Swelling or puffiness near the injection site

• Tenderness to the touch

• A feeling of warmth in the shoulder

This is typically a sign of an inflamed bursa, tendon, or joint capsule.

✅ Radiating Arm Pain

For some individuals, SIRVA pain radiates from the shoulder down the arm. This discomfort may be:

• Throbbing or pulsating

• Sharp or stabbing

• Tingling or burning in some cases

These symptoms may indicate nerve involvement or soft tissue inflammation due to improper vaccine administration.

When to Seek Help for SIRVA Symptoms

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above—especially after a recent vaccine—it’s important to contact your doctor. Untreated SIRVA injuries can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and long-term complications.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a vaccine-related shoulder injury, you may be eligible for compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

📞 Call us today at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form on this page to schedule a free consultation with a SIRVA attorney.

Common Shoulder Injuries Caused by SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration)

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after vaccination, you may be surprised when your doctor doesn’t diagnose you with SIRVA. Instead, after a physical exam or MRI, they may identify a more specific shoulder injury, such as a rotator cuff tear, shoulder bursitis, or frozen shoulder syndrome.

Why isn’t SIRVA listed as the diagnosis?

That’s because SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) is not a formal medical diagnosis. It’s a term used to describe how the shoulder injury occurred—specifically, due to an improperly administered vaccine. The actual diagnosis will vary depending on the type and severity of your shoulder injury.

If you’ve developed a shoulder injury after a vaccine, your doctor may diagnose you with one or more of the following conditions:

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It can occur when the arm hasn’t been moved for an extended period—something that may happen due to severe pain following a vaccine shot.

Symptoms often start gradually and worsen over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, frozen shoulder typically resolves within one to three years.

Treatment options include:

• Range-of-motion exercises

• Corticosteroid injections

• Surgery (in rare cases) 

👉 [Learn more about frozen shoulder after vaccination.]

Shoulder Bursitis After Vaccination

Shoulder bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, which are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, bursae reduce friction between muscles and bones, helping your shoulder move smoothly.

If a vaccine is injected too high into the arm and hits the bursa, inflammation can develop within 48 hours. Symptoms include:

• Shoulder pain

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Limited range of motion

Treatment options include:

• Steroid injections

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Shoulder immobilization

• Surgery (in rare cases)

Shoulder Tendonitis from Vaccine Injection

Shoulder tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder—especially the rotator cuff or biceps tendon. It can be caused by vaccines administered too high on the arm, injuring the tendon.

Symptoms of vaccine-related shoulder tendonitis include:

• Pain or tenderness in the shoulder

• Weakness or loss of strength

• Difficulty sleeping

• Limited ability to move or lift the arm

Treatments for shoulder tendonitis may include:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

• Physical therapy

• Corticosteroid injections

• Ultrasound therapy

• Surgical intervention, in severe cases

Rotator Cuff Tear or Injury from SIRVA

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder. An incorrectly placed vaccine injection can lead to inflammation, which may damage or even tear the rotator cuff.

A rotator cuff tear can result in:

• A dull, aching pain

• Shoulder weakness

• Limited mobility

• Sleep disruption

These injuries often occur alongside bursitis or tendonitis.

Treatment options include:

• Physical therapy

• Cortisone injections

• Surgical repair, if necessary

👉 [Click here to learn more about vaccine-related rotator cuff injuries.]

Impingement Syndrome (Swimmer’s Shoulder) from Vaccination

Impingement syndrome, sometimes called swimmer’s shoulder, happens when inflamed tendons rub against the shoulder blade. While it’s common among athletes, it can also be triggered by vaccines injected too high into the shoulder.

Symptoms of shoulder impingement include:

• Pain while lifting the arm

• Muscle weakness

• Shoulder instability

• Decreased range of motion

Treatment usually includes:

• Steroid injections

• Physical therapy

• Rarely, surgery

👉 [Learn more about impingement syndrome from vaccines.]

What to Do If You Have a SIRVA Shoulder Injury

If you’re suffering from a shoulder injury after vaccination, your daily life may be significantly affected. These injuries often require long-term medical care, and many people find themselves unable to work or perform routine tasks.

The good news? You may qualify for compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

You are not alone—and help is available.

📞 Call us today at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form at the bottom of this page to schedule your free SIRVA consultation with an experienced vaccine injury lawyer. We’ll review your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

How Is SIRVA Treated? Common Treatment Options for Vaccine-Related Shoulder Injuries

If you believe you’re experiencing a shoulder injury from a vaccine, it’s important to consult your doctor as soon as possible. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent long-term damage.

There are several treatment options available for individuals with SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration), depending on the severity of the injury.

🔹 Rest and Activity Modification

One of the first recommendations for treating a vaccine-related shoulder injury is rest. Taking a break from daily activities—especially those that worsen your pain—can promote healing and prevent further damage. If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, additional medical treatment may be necessary.

🔹 Pain Medication

Doctors often recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce inflammation and discomfort. In more severe cases, prescription pain medications may be necessary to manage daily pain caused by SIRVA injuries.

🔹 Corticosteroid Injections

Steroid injections are a common treatment for SIRVA. These injections help reduce inflammation in the shoulder joint, improve mobility, and preserve joint function. Many patients experience significant relief after receiving a corticosteroid injection.

🔹 Physical Therapy for SIRVA

If you’re struggling with limited range of motion or shoulder weakness, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist. Physical therapy can help restore strength, flexibility, and function in the injured shoulder over time.

🔹 Surgery for Severe SIRVA Injuries

In rare cases—especially when dealing with rotator cuff tears or frozen shoulder syndrome—surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatment is usually considered only after other methods, like physical therapy and injections, have failed.

What Are the Best Exercises for SIRVA Recovery?

Before starting any exercise routine for a shoulder injury caused by a vaccine, always consult your physician or physical therapist. If your shoulder pain lasts more than 2–3 weeks, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

That said, some gentle shoulder exercises can help manage symptoms of SIRVA at home. Here are a few effective movements:

✅ Pendulum Stretch

• Lean forward and rest your non-injured arm on a table or chair for support.

• Let your injured arm dangle freely and gently draw small circles in the air.

• Gradually increase the size of the circles and alternate directions.

✅ Arm Across Chest Stretch

• Extend your injured arm in front of your body near your waist.

• Use your opposite hand to pull the injured arm across your chest.

• Hold the stretch for 30 to 50 seconds, then release.

✅ Neck Release Stretch

• Sit up straight and slowly drop your chin toward your chest to stretch the back of your neck.

• Gently tilt your head to the left or right to stretch each shoulder.

• Hold each position for up to one minute.

These SIRVA exercises can provide temporary relief and help maintain shoulder mobility, but they are not a substitute for professional medical care.

Does SIRVA Go Away on Its Own? Is It Permanent?

If you’re dealing with this condition, you might be asking:

“Is SIRVA permanent?”
“Will I always have shoulder pain from a vaccine injury?”

The good news is that many people recover fully from SIRVA with the right treatment. After several months of physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications, patients often regain normal function without long-term effects.

However, others may experience chronic shoulder pain that lasts six months or longer. In these cases, ongoing care—such as corticosteroid injections, pain management, or regular physical therapy—may be needed to maintain shoulder health and prevent worsening symptoms.

Can You File a Lawsuit for a SIRVA Injury?

Yes, you may be able to file a claim to receive compensation for your SIRVA injury—but instead of going through the traditional civil court system, most vaccine injury claims in the U.S. are handled through a special legal program called the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

The VICP is a no-fault alternative to filing a standard lawsuit. It’s managed by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., and it was created to compensate individuals who suffer serious side effects or injuries—such as Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)—from certain vaccines.

This program allows injured individuals to seek vaccine injury compensation without suing doctors, nurses, or pharmaceutical companies. To learn how the process works, you can download a free copy of vaccine injury attorney Jonathan Svitak’s book, Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Experiencing an Adverse Reaction to a Vaccine?

Learn More About the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Download your free copy of Vaccine Injuries: Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by attorney Jonathan Svitak.

In this publication, Jonathan explains the history of this unique federal program and answers some of your most frequently asked questions about vaccine injury cases.

Get Your Free BOOK

How To Get Compensation For a SIRVA Vaccine Injury

If you’ve been diagnosed with SIRVA after a flu shot or another routine vaccination, you may be eligible for compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Under the VICP, individuals can file a SIRVA claim for injuries caused by vaccines listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. These vaccines are commonly administered as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule and include:

• Seasonal flu vaccine

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine

• DTaP / DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccines

• Hepatitis A & B vaccines

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine

• Polio vaccine

• Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine

• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) vaccine

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

• Meningococcal vaccine

• Any new vaccine added by the CDC to the routine childhood schedule

⚠️ Vaccines Not Covered by the VICP:

• COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, etc.)

• Shingles vaccine

• Rabies vaccine

• Pneumovax (Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine)

• RSV

In 2017, the VICP formally recognized SIRVA as a compensable vaccine injury for all vaccines listed on the table. This means that the court may presume your shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine—if certain conditions are met.

When Should You File a SIRVA Claim?

To be eligible for SIRVA compensation, you must file a claim within three (3) years of the first onset of symptoms. In most cases, SIRVA symptoms appear within 48 hours of vaccination.

Your SIRVA settlement amount will depend on the specifics of your case. The Court will review your:

• Medical records

• Injury history

• Timeline of symptoms

• Response to treatment

If the Court finds that your vaccine caused the shoulder injury, it will award damages for:

• Pain and suffering

• Lost wages

• Out-of-pocket medical expenses

• Future medical care (if applicable)

Why Hire a Vaccine Injury Lawyer for a SIRVA Claim?

Filing a claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program can be complex. That’s why we recommend working with an experienced SIRVA lawyer—like the attorneys at Shannon Law Group.

The best part? You pay nothing out-of-pocket. The Court covers all legal fees and attorney costs if your petition is filed in good faith.

Speak with a SIRVA Attorney Today

If you or a loved one is suffering from a shoulder injury after a vaccine, the legal team at Shannon Law Group, P.C. is here to help. We’ve helped hundreds of clients nationwide receive compensation for SIRVA injuries through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

📞 Call us anytime at (312) 578-9501 for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced vaccine injury attorney. You can also fill out the contact form on this page, and we’ll respond within one business day.

You don’t have to go through this alone—we’re here to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.