Quite a few c/o sore arm post pneumo vaccine

Nurses Medications

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Hello all, well it's that time of year again for me. Started the seasonal flu shots last week and have the pneumo vaccine on board. Just about every person who received the vaccine has mentioned to me that the arm was/is so sore when they returned with a family member to receive theirs. Last year I didn't hear as many complaints about the vaccine making the arm so sore. Would anyone know if there are any differences year to year with the pneumo vaccine? Influenza yes, but pneumonia I'm not sure.

P B and J

98 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Supervisor.

I'm not a nurse yet, but have been getting my immunizations up to date for school starting next week. I got the pneumonia vaccine on the 29th of Sept, and even now, 2 weeks later, my arm is killing me. Today is the first day since I got it that I can raise my arm higher than shoulder height without wincing! My tetorifice shot didn't even hurt that much, sore for a day or so then it was good. I went back yesterday to finish the rest I needed but was afraid if I mentioned my sore arm from the pneumo vax to the RN, she would withhold the rest I need by class start.

Anyway, long answer for short reply, yep that one hurts, alot! Wish she had told me it was possible instead of me thinking it was an adverse reaction. :(

sugarmagnoliaRN

543 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

I'm not sure about year to year changes, but I did get the pneumo vaccine as a child and it did hurt my arm more than my regular flu shot. Definitely not unbearable, but still noticeable.

kcksk

93 Posts

Just got my pneumovax last week and it was horrible! The day after my arm was red, swollen and was so painful I hurt all the way down to my fingers! It was day 5 before I could even touch my arm. If anyone bumped into me I went through the roof. I have a pretty high pain tolerance too.....gave birth three times with no drugs. This vaccine was brutal. Decided when I am older, if they tell me I need a booster I wouldn't get it because I figured I had some type of reaction to it.

The pnemovax shoudn't change yearly because it is the same 23 strains it is vaccinating against.

Flu shot has different strains in it each year.

blueheaven

832 Posts

I have taken my pneumo. vaccinations ever since I have developed chronic lung issues. The last vac I received was awful. Upper arm swelled, turned red, developed a large lump at the site of injection. I STILL have a small lump at the site and it's been 2 years! This was not a localized infection, as the nurse who gave it used good technique. I'm not sure that I want to risk a reaction like that (or worse) again.

newtress, LPN

431 Posts

Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Thanks for sharing your responses to the pneumo vac. As I suspected this vaccine certainly has presented with some substantial reactions. I gave my Mr his vaccine two days ago and wow was he in some pain. He's practically indestructable and I almost questioned my technique. But after looking further into those who have received the vaccine, it appears to really put the sore on an arm. I'd like to give a little patient education on this one. I'm sure I will be asked "why does it make my arm so sore?" That's what I want the skinny on.

The soreness is good for you, like a good, hard work out. The burn you feel shows the vaccine is doing its job, and you should feel proud for helping to protect america.

xtxrn, ASN, RN

4,267 Posts

The soreness is good for you, like a good, hard work out. The burn you feel shows the vaccine is doing its job, and you should feel proud for helping to protect america.

:eek::confused:

My basic thoughts about vaccines is that a relatively unmovable sharp object is penetrating my muscle, and putting fluid in that is not supposed to be there....it's gonna be sore :) I always ask to get mine in my dominant arm, so I use it more, and don't baby it- gets the stiffness out of there sooner.

Being impaled isn't comfortable :D

newtress, LPN

431 Posts

Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

And so this is how I go about my vaccines. I always inform the patient that I am going to give the vaccine in the right arm unless otherwise specified (pt preference, mastectomy, dominant left hand etc) and I use those exact words "don't baby it, use your arm as you normally do" just as you stated xtxrn. Just found it a little perplexing that I haven't had any complaints from the flu shot this year, just the pneumo. I'm due for my first one, but work by myself this season and don't have anyone to give it to me. So, Mr pipes up and says "well, I'll give it to you" to which I suffered an acute eye roll.

blueheaven

832 Posts

:eek::confused:

My basic thoughts about vaccines is that a relatively unmovable sharp object is penetrating my muscle, and putting fluid in that is not supposed to be there....it's gonna be sore :) I always ask to get mine in my dominant arm, so I use it more, and don't baby it- gets the stiffness out of there sooner.

Being impaled isn't comfortable :D

In all of my 54 years of life have I ever had a reaction like I have had to pneumovax the past 2 times I've taken it. This includes receiving small pox and typhoid vaccinations. This even hurts worse than Rocephin IM. I'm not a shot wuss and there has to be a reason why so many people are affected so strongly.

mitteldorf

1 Post

It's been two months since my pneumonia vaccine, and my shoulder is still sore.

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