Don't aim too high: Avoiding shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) is a previously described phenomenon that is the result of improper vaccine delivery. Appropriate injection technique for administration of intramuscular vaccinations can reduce the risk of shoulder injury.

OBJECTIVE: In this article, we describe the cases of two patients who developed SIRVA. A literature review was conducted to find and describe other cases of shoulder injury that developed post-vaccination.

DISCUSSION: SIRVA has previously been described in the world literature. Seventeen cases in women and five cases in men were found. Pain and reduction in the range of movement within a few hours of vaccination were cardinal signs of a shoulder injury. This included injuries to the soft tissues of the shoulder as well as injuries to bone and joint. SIRVA can be avoided with correct vaccination technique as described.