Flu shot reaction?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Hi everyone!

I got my flu shot a week ago, and it seemed as though the nurse who gave it to me injected it above my deltoid almost in my joint. I got home with my band aid and checked it out and even my husband with no medical background said, "why did she give you a shot there?"

I also asked a few coworkers who got shots if they thought it was given in an odd spot, they agreed.

Before I discuss this any further with management, I was wondering if anyone else has gotten the flu shot (the first one, not the h1n1) and been having any reactions?

I've been having muscle pain and trouble moving my left arm ever since. Joint pain as well.

Anyone else?

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Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

Same here. High on left arm. Hurt like the dickens. Should have known - the RN giving the shot said "This one's a doozy," and "Start taking motrin or tylenol immediately and continue for the next 2-3 days."

I hav felt crummy the entire weekend. My left arm is so sore. I'd be in trouble without my motrin.

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Specializes in CCU & CTICU.

My doc gives it to me there, too. My arm is miserable for days afterwards.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Ok, the first three days were the worse, then it got better and now it's getting worse again.

I'm just glad I'm not alone.

Thanks guys & I hope you all feel better.

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Specializes in NICU. L&D, PP, Nursery.

Why was the injection site up so high? Is this a new flu administration technique that I have not learned about yet?

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Specializes in OR.

Well for first time In my life I will be getting both flu shots for myself husband and daughter , just to be careful and since I work in homehealth with elders I can't take the risk !!! And I want to protect my little one first and foremost from the flu in general!!!!

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Specializes in LTC, M/S, CCU, ER.

I got my shot right in the middle delt, several inches below the joint (but I'm tall, so adjust accordingly for your height). I haven't had a reaction to the flu vaccine, but had a doozy of a sore arm and flulike symptoms from the TDAP.

If the pain has returned, I'd talk to someone about it. Might have been too close to the joint, and is causing inflammation? Worth checking into.

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Specializes in NICU.

I had the same experience. The shot was given way too high. The discomfort related to the vaccine only lasted a day or two, but my shoulder remains fairly painful and difficult to move. I think it is the placement of the vaccine, not the actual vaccine. I hope it goes away soon--for all of us :).

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

What happened to using landmarks? It sounds to me like the injection was too proximal to the joint and I would be in some pain too if that's where I got my injection. My injecttion was given at what I would say is parallel to the armpit and it was a flawless flu shot. At least that's the way I was instructed to inject IM into deltoid in school, and it goes well for me now with my patients.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

I agree that someone didnt use thier landmarks and was rather in a hurry not taking the time to do so. Biggest thing I see is too high or at an angle that it ends up given SQ rather than IM which can result in significant soreness and discomfort.

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Specializes in Peds; Peds Oncology.

Got my flu shot on Wednesday.

The guy was awesome!!!

Didn't feel it, didn't hurt afterward.

No reactions.

Yeah!!!:yeah:

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When I first got the flu shot I developed hives and had very bad chest pains. After that, I've never had any problems getting the flu shot. I haven't had the flu in 3 years.

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