Acute Shoulder Injury Following Tdap Vaccination: A Case Report on SIRVA and the Importance of Proper Injection Technique

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) is a preventable iatrogenic condition caused by improper injection technique into the deltoid region. It can result in significant pain, inflammation, and impaired function. We report a case of a healthy adult female who developed acute shoulder pain and fatigue within hours of receiving an intramuscular tetanus toxoid vaccine. With no prior history of shoulder pathology, clinical evaluation supported a diagnosis of SIRVA. Conservative treatment with NSAIDs and physical therapy led to partial symptom relief, though some pain persisted a month later. This case highlights the importance of correct vaccination techniques and early recognition of SIRVA to mitigate its impact.