Why Are Cases Of Shoulder Injuries From Vaccines Increasing
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Elisabeth Cassayre got a shot at her local pharmacy, and the pain in her arm began that night. It refused to go away. Days, then months passed as she couldnt lift her right arm, couldnt hang up clothes, couldnt pick things up. I remember thinking: Ill never be able to make an apple pie for my grandchildren, says the retired schoolteacher.
Doctors now have a name for Cassayres condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, or SIRVA, caused by a vaccine injected too high up on the arm. The prolonged pain and stiffness of SIRVA is distinctin other words, much worsethan typical soreness from shots.
While very rare and still little-known, SIRVA cases settled in the governments so-called vaccine injury court have shot up in recent years. Under US law, all vaccine injury cases come before the Office of Special Masters of the US Court of Federal Claims, rather than the usual state or federal courts. Since 2011, the court has ruled to compensate 112 patients for SIRVA, with more than half those cases in the past year, according to an analysis in the Wall Street Journal.
What To Do If Your Child Is Unwell After The Vaccine
Its possible that your child may feel unwell after receiving a dose of the pneumococcal vaccine. Should this happen, there are ways to help ease their symptoms.
If your child has a fever, try to keep them cool. You can do this by providing cool liquids for them to drink and ensuring theyre not wearing too many layers.
Tenderness, redness or discoloration, and swelling at the site of the shot can be eased by applying a cool compress. To do this, wet a clean washcloth with cool water and place it gently on the affected area.
Symptoms like fever and pain at the site of the shot may be alleviated using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen . Be sure to use the infant formulation and to carefully follow the dosing instructions on the product packaging.
Prior to being approved for use, the safety and effectiveness of all vaccines must be rigorously evaluated in clinical trials. Lets take a look at some of the research into the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines.
A evaluated the effectiveness of the PCV13 vaccine in children. It found that:
- The vaccine effectiveness of PCV13 against the 13 pneumococcal strains included in the vaccine was 86 percent.
- The vaccine effectiveness against pneumococcal disease due to any strain of S.pneumoniae was 60.2 percent.
- The effectiveness of PCV13 didnt differ significantly between children with and without underlying health conditions.
The CDC also notes that more than
You shouldnt get the PCV13 vaccine if youre:
Why Does My Arm Hurt After A Flu Shot
- Lung Health and Diseases
- Pneumonia
Getting a shot at the doctor’s office might not be the most enjoyable experiencewith the needle and the doctor and that pesky arm pain that can come after for somebut vaccination is necessary to help your body defend itself against dangerous diseases, including seasonal influenza . There’s a reason CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot each year: Anyone can get the flu and it can hit hard. The 2017-2018 flu season particularly demonstrated the impact: Around 80,000 Americans lost their lives due to influenza and 900,000 people were hospitalized.
The flu shot is safe, and you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. Most people have little or no reaction to the flu shot and the most common side effect is some discomfort in your arm hours after receiving the vaccination, including soreness, redness and/or swelling. A sore arm is much better than catching the actual influenza viruswhich can knock you out for days or weeks with high fever, cough and muscle achesbut why do some people experience this particular side effect of the flu shot?
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Why Does This Happen
COVID arm is thought to be an immune system reaction. Your immune cells are responding to the muscle cells which have absorbed the mRNA vaccine. The vaccine produces the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which the immune system thinks is an infection that needs to be fought. This is referred to as an overexuberant immune response.
Since the COVID-19 vaccines are new, we dont know definitively what exact mechanism triggers COVID arm symptoms. This reaction and others are continuing to be studied worldwide.
What Serious Side Effects Mean I Should Call My Doctor
The flu vaccine will not give you the flu. However, some people do experience side effects. While redness, swelling, muscle aches and sometimes low-grade fevers are typical side effects after receiving an influenza vaccination, there can be some rare and serious side effects including difficulty breathing and swelling around the eyes or lips. If you are experiencing dizziness, a racing heart or a high fever seek medical attention right away.
“If you develop full body hives, you are having an allergic reaction to the vaccine,” says Dr. Mora. The most common allergic reaction is found in people allergic to eggs. This is because egg proteins are one of the products in the flu vaccine. However, if you have an egg allergy, you can still get the flu shot. Talk to your doctor about the best way to get vaccinated.
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Whats In The Pneumonia Vaccine
The first thing to know is that there are two types of pneumonia vaccine:
- Prevenar 13 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which is given to babies and young children as part of their routine NHS vaccinations. It can also be given to adults who arent in a high-risk group. This type prevents against 13 strains of bacteria that can cause pneumonia.
- Pneumovax 23 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine which is given to people over 65 and anyone with a health condition that makes them high-risk for pneumonia and its complications. This type prevents against 23 strains of bacteria that can cause pneumonia.
Both of these vaccines work in the same way: by encouraging your body to produce antibodies which can fight off pneumococcal bacteria the bacteria that cause pneumonia. Once youve had the vaccine, your body will be better able to fight off infection.
This year to help support the NHS we are just offering the Prevenar 13 vaccination in our stores. This is so the NHS has enough of the Pneumovax 23 to vaccinate those in our communities who are most at risk of catching pneumonia. If you fall into the NHS high-risk category, please contact your GP for advice and to have Pneumovax 23.
Signs Of Pneumonia Vaccine Side Effects
As with any vaccination, there are potential side effects of the pneumonia vaccination. Common side effects include:
Injection site soreness
As with most shots and vaccinations, you may experience pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site .
Less than 1% of people who receive a pneumonia vaccine develop a fever. If your temperature is above 100.4 F , you have a fever.
Irritability
Irritability is a feeling of agitation. When you’re feeling irritable, you’re more likely to become frustrated or upset. In children, this may present as fussiness.
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Will Pain And Other Symptoms Be Worse After Receiving A Second Shot
It may be. While everyones immune system is unique, it is not unusual for injection site reactions pain, swelling, or redness or other side effects to be worse with booster shots. While this is most often seen with routine childhood immunizations that require multiple injections, it can happen with adult immunizations as well, including the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine and the two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Side Effects Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine In Babies
Mild side effects of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine , which is the version of the pneumococcal vaccine given to babies under the age of 2, include:
- a decreased appetite
- redness and swelling at the site of the injection
- feeling sleepy or not sleeping well
Serious side effects of the PCV vaccine are rare, and include:
- a high temperature, possibly leading to convulsions
- allergic reactions, such as an itchy skin rash
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Allergic Reactions To The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Very occasionally, a child or adult may have a serious allergic reaction after either type of pneumococcal vaccination.
Known as an anaphylactic reaction, this can cause life-threatening breathing difficulties.
Anaphylaxis is a rare, serious side effect that can happen within minutes of the injection. It’s very alarming at the time, but it can be treated with adrenaline.
The doctor or nurse giving the vaccine will have been trained to know how to treat anaphylactic reactions.
Provided they receive treatment promptly, children and adults make a complete recovery.
What You Need To Know:
The pneumococcal vaccine is an injection given to protect you from pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease develops from an infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. The infection may cause pneumonia or an ear infection. Pneumococcal disease is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. The vaccine comes in 2 forms, called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine .
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What Is The Pneumonia Vaccine
The pneumonia vaccine is an injection that prevents you from contracting pneumococcal disease. There are two pneumococcal vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States:
The Center for Disease Control recommends the PCV13 vaccine for:
- All children younger than 2 years old
- People 2 years or older with certain medical conditions
The CDC recommends PPSV23 for:
- All adults 65 years or older
- People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions
- Smokers 19 through 64 years old
Allergic Reaction To The Pneumonia Vaccine
In rare cases, people have an allergic reaction to the pneumonia vaccine shortly after receiving their jab. This is known as anaphylaxis, and it can be life-threatening.
The good news is, all doctors, nurses and pharmacists who administer the jab are trained to deal with anaphylaxis. If you happen to have a severe reaction, the medical professional who gave you the jab will be able to carry out emergency treatment.
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Side Effects Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine In Adults And Older Children
Mild side effects of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine , the version of the pneumococcal vaccine given to adults and children over the age of 2, include:
- mild soreness or hardness at the site of the injection lasting 1 to 3 days
- a slightly raised temperature
More serious side effects of the PPV vaccine, such as allergic reactions, are rare.
Pain After A Shot: Normal Site Reactions To Vaccines
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , in most cases vaccine side effects are minor and go away within a few days. Side effects vary according to vaccine type, such as flu, shingles, or pneumonia. Generally mild side effects of vaccines may include:
- Pain, redness, tenderness, or swelling at injection site
- Fatigue
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When To See A Doctor
A person who is over 65 years of age should talk to their doctor about which pneumonia vaccine may be best for them. The doctor can help determine whether they should get the vaccination, which vaccination to get, and when to get it.
Parents and caregivers of young children should talk to a pediatrician about the schedule for the pneumonia vaccination. The pediatrician can also address any questions or concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination.
A person does not need to see a doctor for mild reactions to the vaccine, such as tenderness at the injection site, fever, or fatigue.
However, if a person experiences any life threatening side effects, they should seek emergency help immediately.
Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions in children may include:
- respiratory distress, such as wheezing
Who Shouldnt Have The Pneumonia Vaccine
Theres a long list of people who should have the pneumonia vaccine. Even if youre not on the list you may want to get the vaccine. Speak to a pharmacist in your local store today for more advice.
There are also some people who should avoid it:
- If youve previously had a severe allergic reaction to the pneumonia vaccine or any ingredients it contains, you probably wont be able to get the jab.
- If you have a fever and youre feeling unwell youll probably need to delay your vaccine appointment until youve recovered.
- If youre pregnant, you may want to wait to receive your vaccine until youve had your baby. The vaccine is generally thought to be safe for pregnant women, but there may still be a small risk for you and your baby until youve given birth.
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When Is Arm Pain After A Vaccine A Sign Of Something More Serious
For most people, arm pain after a vaccine is generally mild and a quick-passing problem. But there are some times when you should contact your provider. Keep in mind that these reactions are rare and are not necessarily signs you cannot receive future vaccinations.
If the person giving you a shot inserts the needle too high, you can develop shoulder problems, including nerve pain and limited range of motion. When this happens, arm pain will start within two days of your vaccination, continue longer than what is typical for that vaccine, and will not feel better if you take pain relievers. This issue is preventable, needs to be treated by your provider, and should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System .
While true allergies to vaccines are rare, painful rashes after receiving a shot are more common. It is not unusual for these reactions to happen several days to weeks later. This type of side effect is not always a sign of an allergy, but it could be. If you notice a rash or hives where you received a vaccination, you should be seen by your provider.
Follow Up With Your Doctor As Directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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Are Vaccines Safe
This is a subject of great interest and debate among many people. It is very clear that the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the risks of having the injections. Unfortunately, because of the debate taking place, some people are worried about acknowledging any problems with vaccines.
SIRVA is not caused by the ingredients of the vaccination, but rather due to improper placement of the needle that delivers the vaccine.
It is important that while caregivers and patients should be aware of this possible complication, this should not be a reason to avoid vaccinations. Rather it should be a caution that even with seemingly simple medical procedures, care should be taken to ensure they are performed appropriately.
While it is clear that incorrect administration of a vaccine into the shoulder joint or the shoulder bursa can cause a severe inflammatory response and chronic shoulder pain, it is also clear that vaccines are effective at preventing life-threatening diseases. Careful administration of vaccines can help to ensure that SIRVA will not be a problem for you.
What Is Covid Arm
You may have heard of COVID arm and are concerned it will happen to you. This reaction doesnt happen to many people and usually resolves on its own, even if its not fun to experience. COVID arm is a local reaction by your immune system, meaning it occurs around the injection site. You may experience:
- A painful and/or itchy rash that can get very large
- Swelling
- Warmth
- A firm bump under your skin where you received your shot
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , COVID arm can start a few days to a week or more after getting your shot. Its not caused by the coronavirus itself, since both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are MRNA vaccines that dont contain the virus.
According to Phase 3 trial results in the New England Journal of Medicine, this rash affected 0.8% of participants after the first dose, and 0.2% of participants after the second shot. In both cases, a very small number.
Age can play a role in who has a higher chance of having COVID arm. It seems as if younger patients have more arm pain compared to older patients looking at a study that was done using the Pfizer vaccine, Dr. Palli says.
If you do notice a rash after your first COVID-19 vaccination, inform your healthcare provider before you get the second one. A rash may not be a reason you shouldnt get your second dose. However, your healthcare provider may advise you to get the second injection in your other arm. Other things that can help treat the rash include:
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