How to Know if You Have SIRVA vs. Normal Soreness After Vaccination

After receiving a vaccine, some people experience soreness or slight pain at the injection site, but this typical pain is different from SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration). SIRVA is caused by an improper administration of the vaccine that is usually a result of the vaccine being administered in an incorrect position in the arm. A temporary or routine soreness after receiving a vaccine does not constitute a SIRVA injury. Some typical signs that shoulder pain after vaccination may be SIRVA include: - **Ongoing or Continuous Pain.** Typical pain following a vaccine will resolve on its own after a day. But, if you experience pain within 48 hours of being vaccinated that does not go away on its own and persists, it is possible that is a sign of SIRVA. If you are forced to take Aleve, Tylenol, Advil or any other over-the-counter pain medication, it could be a sign of worsening shoulder pain to come. - **Weakness or Trouble Sleeping on Vaccinated Side.** A feeling of weakness or the inability to raise or use your arm may also be a sign of SIRVA. Additionally, if your shoulder pain is preventing you from sleeping on your vaccinated side or wakes you up throughout the night if you roll over onto that arm, it may be a sign of SIRVA, especially if it is a consistent issue. - **Loss of Range of Motion or “Frozen” Feeling in the Shoulder.** Another symptom of SIRVA rather than routine soreness after a vaccine could be a feeling of “frozenness” in your shoulder. This may feel like an inability to move your shoulder or a sensation that it is frozen in place and cannot move past a certain level. This includes pain or difficulty in moving, stretching, or reaching with your vaccinated arm. If you have experienced shoulder pain after receiving a vaccine and it has not gone away on its own, or if you have experienced any of the other symptoms mentioned above, it is possible that you have SIRVA. It is important that you report your pain to a physician as soon as you can to treat your injury as well as [contact an experienced attorney to handle your possible vaccine-related injury claim](https://www.greenlegalteam.com/contact-us/).