Abstract
Adverse reactions to vaccine injections are usually mild and incredibly rare in nature,
but multiple cases of shoulder events including bursitis, generalized pain or decreased
range of motion have been reported following routine vaccine administrations. These
events are known as Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration or SIRVA.
A systematic review of literature was performed to identify all published accounts
of SIRVA. Twenty-seven papers reporting one or more accounts of SIRVA were identified.
The most common vaccination involved was the Influenza vaccine. The most common symptoms
were pain that began in 48 hours or less and loss of shoulder range of motion. The
most common treatment modalities were physical therapy, corticosteroid injections
and anti-inflammatory medication; but in some patients, surgery was required. Regardless
of intervention, the vast majority of outcomes demonstrated improved pain and functional
except in the occasions of nerve injury.
The etiology of SIRVA injuries has multiple possibilities including needle length,
mechanical injury from needle overpenetration and the possibility of an immune inflammatory
response from the vaccine components, but a unique definitive test or quantifiably
result does not yet exist.
Keywords
bursitis - impingement, shoulder - shoulder pain - influenza vaccines
