Vaccine Injury Compensation

Since the first person to receive the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine to protect against Covid-19 was administered in late 2020, more than 7 million doses have been given to people across Ireland to fight against this new novel coronavirus that has taken many lives.

In the vast majority of instances, the administration of the vaccine passes without any issues besides mild to moderate side effects that are documented by health authorities. However, occasionally the healthcare professional who administers the dose may inject it too high up on the arm resulting in an injury to the musculoskeletal structures of the shoulder. In this scenario, you may have a case to bring a vaccine injury compensation claim.

Our expert team of medical negligence solicitors have many years of experience in assisting patients who have suffered as a result of negligent behaviour by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. If you have suffered as a result of an incorrectly administered vaccination, our team will listen to your experience and help you to ascertain whether you might have a case to bring against the authority responsible for your injury.

Injury caused by the injection of a vaccine into the shoulder is referred to as a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). This is a preventable occurrence caused by the injection of a vaccine into the shoulder capsule rather than the deltoid muscle. This can lead to an inflammation of the shoulder structures causing pain, a decreased range of motion, and a decreased quality of life.

Symptoms of SIRVA can include the following:

• Intense, prolonged pain and limited range of motion
• Bicipital Tendinitis
• Rotator Cuff Tears
• Subacromial Bursitis
• Adhesive Capsulitis (known commonly as frozen shoulder)

Symptoms usually occur a number of days or weeks after a patient has received a shot.

In the majority of cases, the symptoms of SIVRA can be treated with medication and physiotherapy to alleviate inflammation and improve the range of motion. However, in more severe cases patients will remain symptomatic and surgery may be necessary to repair the damage done to the shoulder’s ligaments and tendons.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, and you believe they are connected to a negligent vaccine administration, get in touch with our experienced medical negligence solicitors today to discuss whether you might be able to bring a vaccine injury compensation case against the organisation that administered your dose.

Some links relating to blood transfusions that you may find useful.

• EMed – Ireland Blood Transfusion Advice
• Give Blood – Irish Blood Transfusion Service
• HSE – General Information on Blood Transfusions

If you or a member of your family has suffered as a result of a negligent Covid-19 vaccine administration, or due to any other vaccine being administered to you, get in touch with our specialist medical negligence solicitors today to make a start on your claim or gather more information. Call us on 1800 390 555 and an experienced member of staff will discuss your situation and potential next steps. You can also email on info@mccarthy.ie and we will get back to you as soon as we can.