Bad Flu Shot?

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Two days ago I went to employee health after my shift to get my annual flu shot. The initial stick didn't hurt but when the nurse pushed the plunger I felt pain like never before. I went home, and a few hours later, had pain at the site, into my shoulder and side of my neck, as well as aching that radiated to my elbow. I called my floor since some of the RNs still working had gotten theirs at the same time. All of them had similar complaints.

Later, I woke up at 0200 with such pain I had to use my left arm to pick up my right. Took 800 of motrin and went back to bed.

Today (2 days later) I still have pain at the site as well as shoulder/elbow pain and that ache radiating to the elbow. The injection site appears to be somewhat higher than where a deltoid shot would go. Closer to the top of my arm & near the shoulder, really.

Those of us with the same complaints had our shots given by the same nurse within an hour of each other. Could this be the result of a poorly placed injection? Any suggestion on how to alleviate the discomfort?

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I administer hundreds of flu shots each year. I have had alot more complaints this year and 2 with similar radiating pain. Many more inj sites are bruising this year. However, I would suggest that someone request the employee health nurse be taught appropriate placement of injection.

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Well I'm glad to see that the pain in my arm from the flu shot just wasn't in my head. The injection itself wasn't painful but I did notice pain in my arm and shoulder enough to wake me up at night. I also received the injection from the employee health nurse like I do every year. Now that was back on November 10 and my arm is still sore. Gee I wonder what gives!!!!!!!!!!!!

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daisybaby said:
Two days ago I went to employee health after my shift to get my annual flu shot. The initial stick didn't hurt but when the nurse pushed the plunger I felt pain like never before. I went home, and a few hours later, had pain at the site, into my shoulder and side of my neck, as well as aching that radiated to my elbow. I called my floor since some of the RNs still working had gotten theirs at the same time. All of them had similar complaints.

Later, I woke up at 0200 with such pain I had to use my left arm to pick up my right. Took 800 of motrin and went back to bed.

Today (2 days later) I still have pain at the site as well as shoulder/elbow pain and that ache radiating to the elbow. The injection site appears to be somewhat higher than where a deltoid shot would go. Closer to the top of my arm & near the shoulder, really.

Those of us with the same complaints had our shots given by the same nurse within an hour of each other. Could this be the result of a poorly placed injection? Any suggestion on how to alleviate the discomfort?

I had a similar reaction this year. My arm hurt for almost a week. The 2nd and 3rd day were the worst. So bad that I could hardly lift anything. It also made my neck hurt and I had a bad headache for a few days.

I haven't had a flu shot since I was a kid, but since I'm now working in the health care industry, I got one. I don't look forward to next years shot...

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Specializes in Newborn ICU, Trauma ICU, Burn ICU, Peds.

Wow, glad I read this. Yet another reason why I won't get a flu shot...

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Specializes in Cardiac, Post Anesthesia, ICU, ER.

I've never have, nor will I ever get a FLU shot. Even when I worked in the ER, I never got the flu, therefore, I see no reason to go get a shot that will likely make me sick, or feel bad as it does so many. Adding to the fact, I've take care of patients who had MI's shortly after getting FLU Shots, and my mind is pretty well made up. Also there has been some link to Guillan-Barre and the flu shot. No thanks. My wife and my children get it, but that is her choice, and yes, they all did get sick from it. The arm pain wasn't anything I've heard about in my area though.

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Have a patient with complaints of sharp pains in flu shot arm 3 months after injection. Site was high on arm. How long will the pains last?

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How interesting. I had a flu shot in November of 07 and have had severe shoulder and elbow pain since that very day. It has gotten to the point that I take Ibuprofen almost every night and sleep with a heating pad wrapped around my arm on occasions when it hurts so bad I can't get to sleep. The pain seems more severe in my elbows. There are times when the pain is in other joints including knees and ankles. Is there a problem with this year's flu vaccine batch...? Should I talk to a doctor?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Please contact your physician.

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I had the flu shot in Nov 2007. At first it felt more like a Tetnus shot. But the pain never went away!! Today months later I am in physical therapy for a Frozen Shoulder. My Dr doesn't think one thing has to do with the other. However the therapist said this is the 3rd or 4th case he has saw with this years Flu Shot!! Has anyone found anything to show the possibility of a bad batch this year??

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I had a similar reaction to the flu shot. I received the vaccine on Sun afternoon. By the evening my entire arm, neck and shoulder ached. The next day, I was sick - in bed. Today, Tues. I am achy all over and rather sluggish.

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And this is why I refuse to get a flu shot.

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