Each year, the federal government receives tens of thousands of reports of vaccine-related illness and injuries. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report [f1] that, “the current U.S. vaccine supply is the safest in history,” it is still important to understand that although proven safe and effective, vaccines do not come without risk.
Although the vast majority of individuals who receive flu shots and other vaccinations experience no adverse effects, each year many people experience symptoms, from allergic reactions to shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
1. Should I Talk to My Doctor Before Being Vaccinated?
While your chances of experiencing a vaccine-related injury may be low, the consequences of an adverse event can be severe and sometimes fatal. Allergic reactions including shoulder injuries such as SIRVA, and autoimmune conditions like Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) can all have life-altering effects. Before being vaccinated, it is important to speak with your doctor to better understand the benefits of vaccination along with any potential risks that may be involved.
2. Are there Risks Associated with Vaccines?
Risks associated with routine childhood and adult vaccinations can range from mild side effects such as; short-term soreness or fever to sharp or stabbing, shoulder pain, tingling, numbness, brachial neuritis, Guillain Barre Syndrome, and in the most rarest of cases, death. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (or SIRVA) and GBS are two of the most commonly diagnosed vaccine-related injuries. In addition to these conditions vaccines have been lined to conditions such as:
3. How Common Are Vaccine-Related Illnesses and Injuries?
The actual number of vaccine-related injuries remains largely unknown due to the fact that many people fail to seek medical attention for their injuries and may neglect to report their condition as an adverse vaccine event. However, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)[f2] still receives more than 30,000 reports of vaccine induced injuries every year, and each year hundreds of people file claims for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
4. Can Specific Vaccines Carry Particular Risks?
Many vaccines have particular risks associated with them. Guillain Barre Syndrome, for example, is commonly linked to the flu shot. However, all individuals who receive vaccines are equally at risk for shoulder pain and injury such as SIRVA, (or Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration.) This is because injuries caused by needle injections result not from the contents of the vaccine itself, but rather from an improper or faulty vaccine administration.
5. What To Do If You Have a Vaccine-Related Injury?
If you or a loved one has experienced a vaccine-related illness or injury, it is important to seek prompt medical attention and to speak with an experienced vaccine lawyer about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). You may be entitled to significant financial compensation, and under the VICP, individuals harmed by vaccines can hire an attorney to handle their claims at no financial cost to them.
Request a Free Vaccine Injury Consultation Today
For more information about seeking compensation for a vaccine illness or injury, contact Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates today for a free consultation to learn whether compensation may be available for you.