Which Vaccines Can Cause SIRVA?

Shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) are painful, debilitating and potentially long-term injuries that can lead to substantial medical bills and other financial and non-financial costs. They are among the most common types of vaccine injuries, and each year we help dozens of individuals obtain compensation for SIRVA under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

For vaccine recipients and parents of children who receive childhood vaccines, knowing how to identify the symptoms of SIRVA is important. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can mitigate the risk of long-term effects in some cases, and prompt diagnosis is also critical for filing a successful claim under the VICP.

Covered Vaccines Linked to SIRVA

SIRVA is a unique type of vaccine injury in that the risk comes not from the vaccine itself but rather from the way in which the vaccine is administered. From injecting the vaccine too high on the shoulder to inserting the needle at the wrong angle, various vaccine administration errors can lead to vaccine-related shoulder injuries. As a result, SIRVA is a potential concern with all vaccines covered under the VICP. These vaccines are:

  • Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Vaccines (Hib) – Pentacel and Vaxelis
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines – Havrix and Vaqta
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines – Engerix-B and Recombivax HB
  • Human Papillomavirus Vaccines (HPV) – Gardasil, Gardasil 9 and Cervarix
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines (MMR and MMRV) – Priorix and ProQuad
  • Meningitis Vaccines – Menactra, Menveo and MenQuadfi
  • Pneumonia Vaccines – Prevnar 13, Prevnar 20 and Vaxneuvance
  • Polio Vaccines (IPV and OPV) – Ipol and Orimune
  • Rotavirus Vaccines – RotaTeq and Rotarix
  • Seasonal Influenza Vaccines (Flu Shot) – Afluria, Fluarix, FluLaval, Flucelvax and Fluzone
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis Vaccines (DTaP, Tdap and Td) – Adacel and Boostrix
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccines – ProQuad and Varivax

For SIRVA to be covered under the VICP as an “on table” injury for these vaccines (which means that proof of causation is not required), the vaccine recipient’s symptoms must begin within 48 hours of vaccination. As a result, documenting the onset of symptoms is important, and when seeking treatment for shoulder pain or other symptoms, vaccine recipients (or their parents) should be sure to tell their doctor about their recent vaccination.

Other Vaccines That Present Risks for SIRVA

Along with the vaccines covered under the VICP, other vaccines administered via shoulder injection present risks for SIRVA as well. These include the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, among others. The COVID-19 vaccines currently fall under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). Unfortunately, while it is possible to file a claim for SIRVA under the CICP, less compensation is available under this program than the VICP, and successful claims are significantly less common.

Do You Have a SIRVA Claim? Find Out for Free

If you have questions about filing a vaccine injury claim for SIRVA under the VICP or CICP, we encourage you to contact us for more information. To discuss your legal rights with experienced vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant in confidence, please call 202-800-1711 or tell us how we can reach you online today.

 

Leah Durant Bio

Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.