When getting vaccinated, it is important to be aware of both the side effects of the particular vaccine as well as the signs of related vaccine illnesses and injuries. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain, “Usually vaccine side effects are minor . . . and go away on their own within a few days.” But, vaccine-related illnesses and injuries can have significant and long-term effects; and, in many cases, seeking medical attention promptly can be crucial to mitigating any potential harm.

There are a few types of vaccine-related injuries that are common across all CDC-recommended vaccines. However, all vaccines carry other illness and injury risks as well, some of which are specific to individual vaccines, and some of which are shared among multiple vaccinations. For adults, some of the most-significant risks are as follows:

Injury Risks that are Common Across All CDC-Recommended Vaccines

1. Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to a particular vaccine ingredient. All vaccines are comprised of multiple ingredients, some of which are known allergens. Anyone who experiences symptoms of anaphylaxis should seek medical attention promptly.

2. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

Shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) result from errors during vaccine injections. Using a wrong-size needle, inserting the needle at the wrong location or wrong angle, and inserting the needle too deep into the arm are all common causes of SIRVA.

3. Vasovagal Syncope

Vasovagal syncope is a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure that can result from a vaccination. The most significant risks associated with vasovagal syncope occur when the condition causes a vaccine recipient to faint unexpectedly.

Vaccine-Specific Injuries and Illnesses

In addition to these three injury risks that are common among all CDC-recommended vaccines, individual vaccines carry other specific injury risks as well. Some examples of these risks include:

  • Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) – Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a neurological disorder that can occur up to three months after receiving a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.
  • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) – Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a variant of GBS that has been linked to the hepatitis B and MMR vaccines in addition to the flu shot and tetanus vaccines.
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) – Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that has been linked to the annual flu shot and vaccines that contain the tetanus toxoid (DT, DTaP, DTP, Td and Tdap).
  • Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) – Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a blood disorder that has been linked to the MMR vaccine.
  • Transverse Myelitis – Transverse myelitis is an inflammatory condition that has a broad range of effects and that may be triggered by the vaccines against hepatitis B, MMR, diphtheria and tetanus.

Contact Vaccine Injury Lawyer Leah V. Durant

Have you been diagnosed with a vaccine-related illness or injury? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). To discuss your legal rights with national vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant, call 202-775-9200 or request a free consultation online today.