5,000+
2,000+
5 Star
Shoulder Vaccine Injuries
A Common Yet Often Misdiagnosed Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
If you're experiencing persistent shoulder pain following a vaccine injection, you may be suffering from a shoulder tendonitis vaccine injury. This type of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration is a recognized condition on the vaccine injury table and could qualify you for compensation under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
Many individuals experience atypical shoulder pain, especially in the left shoulder days or even hours after vaccination. When the injection penetrates too deeply or inaccurately into the deltoid muscle, it triggers an inflammatory reaction that results in chronic shoulder injury related to improper vaccination practice. Left untreated, the pain may worsen and evolve into rotator cuff tendinopathy, subdeltoid bursitis, or even require surgical intervention. If your symptoms haven’t resolved, don’t wait. We’ll help confirm whether your injury is a vaccine related tendonitis—and explain what your next legal steps could be.
Awards and Associations
One of more of our attorneys have been recognized for the following:





Hear Cheryl's Vaccine Injury Story
Cheryl, a former client of My Vaccine Lawyer, shares her experience with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following a flu shot. She describes the sudden onset of pain, limited shoulder mobility, and a long recovery process that led her to seek legal help from attorney Max Muller.
With his support, Cheryl filed a successful claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and received a settlement covering her medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. SIRVA symptoms typically include sudden pain within 48 hours of vaccination, restricted range of motion, and discomfort that can last for weeks or months.
Which Vaccines Have Been Linked to Shoulder Tendonitis?
Several vaccines have been associated with shoulder tendonitis injuries when administered improperly. These include the inactivated influenza vaccine, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, Tdap, hepatitis B, and pneumococcal vaccines. The injury is not due to the vaccine components themselves but to errors in vaccine administration — particularly incorrect injection technique, inappropriate needle length, and poor landmarking on the deltoid muscle.
These injection site events can cause direct trauma to tendons or surrounding structures in the shoulder area, resulting in inflammatory responses that lead to shoulder tendonitis. The vaccine injury table recognizes this type of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, and it appears in numerous case reports reviewed by orthopaedic surgeons.
What Is Shoulder Tendonitis?
Shoulder tendonitis is inflammation of one or more tendons within the shoulder joint, typically involving the rotator cuff or biceps tendon. The condition leads to shoulder pain, reduced range of motion, and functional limitations. It may occur due to trauma, overuse, or — in the case of vaccine-related injuries — external insult to soft tissue structures.
There are multiple types, including rotator cuff tendinopathy, and the condition may occur in isolation or alongside bursitis or frozen shoulder.
What Causes Shoulder Tendonitis After a Vaccine?
The primary cause of shoulder tendonitis following vaccination is faulty intramuscular injection into the deltoid muscle. When the injection is too high, too deep, or angled improperly, it may penetrate soft tissue structures such as the subacromial bursa, subdeltoid bursa, or rotator cuff tendons which trigger an inflammatory reaction. This mechanical trauma causes tendon irritation and swelling, leading to persistent shoulder pain and impaired external rotation. These injuries are classified as injury related to vaccine administration, not as allergic or systemic adverse reactions.
We are the Highest Rated Vaccine Injury Law Firm in the Country!
SEE OUR NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS
See some of our vaccine injury settlements in the VICP.
See Vaccine Settlements Here
MEET MAX
Max is a founding Partner of My Vaccine Lawyer and has been a Super Lawyer for 11 years straight.
Meet Max
MEET PAUL
Paul is a founding Partner at My Vaccine Lawyer and has been featured in the Washington Post and CBS News for his accomplishments.
Meet Paul
What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Tendonitis?
Symptoms of shoulder tendonitis vaccine injury often begin within 48 hours of a vaccine and can include:
-
Severe shoulder pain that worsens instead of improving
-
Worsening shoulder pain with movement or at rest
-
Pain localized in the left shoulder or upper arm
-
Altered sensation, such as burning or tingling
-
Loss of shoulder range and external rotation
-
Difficulty performing overhead activities
Some patients report immediate pain at the injection site. These symptoms differ significantly from normal post-vaccine soreness and may require further evaluation.
What Are the Diagnostic Steps for Vaccine-Related Shoulder Tendonitis?
Diagnosis begins with a focused physical examination assessing tenderness, strength, and range of motion. Imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is the gold standard for identifying inflammation, tendon thickening, or other signs of shoulder tendonitis. MRI also helps distinguish tendonitis from other shoulder complaints, such as:
-
Rotator cuff tear
-
Frozen shoulder
-
Subacromial bursitis
Clinicians will consider recent vaccine receipt, lack of prior history, and anatomical correlation of pain. Accurate diagnosis enables appropriate medical treatment, which may include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Delays can lead to chronic cases requiring orthopaedic surgery or surgical intervention. Tendonitis may start small, but it rarely resolves on its own. If the pain is still there, we’ll help confirm the cause—and explain what compensation you may be entitled to.
Speak With A Lawyer Now!
The Legal Process for Vaccine Injury Cases
Vaccine injury cases follow a unique legal process. Since these claims are handled under the VICP, they require an attorney with experience in federal vaccine litigation. At My Vaccine Lawyer, we start with a free consultation to assess your claim. We then gather medical records, expert testimony, and supporting evidence to build a strong case. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
1. Contact Your Doctor
If you suffered a vaccine-related injury, adverse effects or worsening symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Still Have Questions?
-
What are the treatment costs for shoulder tendonitis and who pays for them?
If you’ve been diagnosed with shoulder tendonitis after a vaccine, you may be facing more than just pain, the costs add up quickly, and without help, they come out of your pocket. But here’s what most people don’t know:
These costs may be fully recoverable through the VICP, including out-of-pocket bills, missed work, long-term treatment, and pain and suffering.
Typical Costs Shoulder Tendonitis Victims Face
-
What are your legal options after a shoulder tendonitis vaccine injury?
If your shoulder tendonitis resulted from improper vaccine administration, you may be eligible to recover compensation via the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. My Vaccine Lawyer specializes in handling these federal claims and recovering damages on behalf of clients injured by vaccines.
Key features of this legal path:
-
No‑fault system: You don’t need to prove negligence, only that the injury is “vaccine‑related” and meets the program’s criteria.
-
Compensation types: You can pursue past and future medical treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other out‑of‑pocket losses.
-
Petitioner claims: You file as a “petitioner” in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. My Vaccine Lawyer handles the process from start to finish, gathering medical records, coordinating expert testimony, building your case, and negotiating or litigating.
-
Strict deadlines: You must file your petition within three years from the onset of symptoms in most cases, so acting promptly is crucial.
Because My Vaccine Lawyer is deeply experienced in SIRVA cases (including tendonitis), we know how to marshal evidence, liaise with orthopaedic specialists, and present the strongest claim, maximizing your chances for full recovery.
We don’t just file claims, we build them the right way. Our team understands how shoulder tendonitis vaccine injury develops, how it’s often misdiagnosed, and what’s needed to prove it legally. We collaborate with specialists to confirm injury to the shoulder joint, deltoid muscle, and upper arm, often missed in general exams.
We’ve helped clients document vaccine administration issues, errors in injection site events, and signs of chronic shoulder injury related to poor technique. Our filings include clinical timelines, informed consent review, and medical data to show the injury was related to vaccine administration. We also guide clients in avoiding shoulder injury related complications—like further damage or repeated injections in an already affected arm.
-
-
What is the statute of limitations for a shoulder tendonitis vaccine injury claim?
Under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, you generally have three years from the first onset of shoulder pain to file a claim. This includes situations where the pain started mildly after vaccination but worsened over time. Filing early allows your legal team to collect stronger medical evidence and avoid the financial risk of missing the filing deadline.
-
How do I know if my shoulder tendonitis was caused by a vaccine or something else?
A key sign of vaccine‑related tendonitis is that the affected shoulder develops pain and stiffness within 48 hours of vaccination, often after an influenza vaccination or another intramuscular shot. If you had left shoulder pain or discomfort only on the side where you received the shot, and no prior history of injury or overuse, it may be linked to improper injection technique. A vaccine injury attorney familiar with experienced shoulder pain attorneys can help review your records and determine eligibility under the VICP.
-
What is the difference between shoulder tendonitis and a rotator cuff tear?
While both cause shoulder pain, a rotator cuff tear involves a physical rupture of one or more tendons in the shoulder, whereas shoulder tendonitis is inflammation without a full tear. Tendonitis typically responds to steroid injection, anti inflammatory medication, and physical therapy, while a rotator cuff tear may require surgical repair. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is often used to confirm which condition is present.
-
What should I do if I’m not sure whether my injury qualifies as vaccine‑related?
If you’re unsure whether your shoulder pain qualifies as injury related to vaccine administration, the best step is to have a medical evaluation and consult a vaccine injury lawyer. Even mild or intermittent symptoms may qualify if they persist. A lawyer can help gather records, confirm timing, and determine whether you’re eligible to file through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
-
What is the best advice to prevent shoulder tendonitis or other shoulder injuries related to vaccines in the future?
Most of these injuries are avoidable. Proper vaccination practice, including using the correct needle length, choosing the correct site, and stabilizing the arm, is key to preventing shoulder injury related to vaccines. Always ask for injections to be placed in the central, thickest part of the deltoid muscle rather than too high on the shoulder. Prompt reporting of post‑vaccine shoulder pain and timely treatment reduces long‑term damage and lowers the financial risk associated with prolonged recovery.
Recent Blogs
The Best Flu Vaccine for Seniors
Paul Brazil: Mar 18, 2025
Is the Flu Shot Intramuscular?
Max Muller: Mar 18, 2025
Flu Shot Pros and Cons: Should You Get Vaccinated?
Paul Brazil: Mar 6, 2025