Flu Shot Vaccine | My Vaccine Lawyer

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Flu Shots & Vaccine Injuries

The flu vaccine helps prevent serious disease across the country every year—but like any medical treatment, it isn’t completely risk-free.

The flu vaccine is a vital tool in protecting public health. Guarding against influenza viruses that spread rapidly during flu season, causing illness and hospitalization—especially in high risk groups like pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most people get a flu vaccine every year, either through an injection or nasal spray vaccine, to reduce the risk of contagious respiratory illness and prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

But while the seasonal flu vaccine is safe for most people, it isn’t without risk. In rare cases, adverse reactions occur—from shoulder injuries caused by improper injection, to severe allergic reactions, nerve damage, and complex pain syndromes. These complications are physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. Thankfully, you don’t have to go to court or sue your doctor to be heard. The federal government has set up a no-fault system to support those harmed by routine vaccinations, including the flu shot. If you’ve experienced symptoms that may be tied to your influenza vaccination, you may have legal options.

Flu Shot Vaccine & the VICP

Hear Cheryl's Vaccine Injury Story

Cheryl, a former client of My Vaccine Lawyer, shares her experience with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following a flu shot. She describes the sudden onset of pain, limited shoulder mobility, and a long recovery process that led her to seek legal help from attorney Max Muller.

With his support, Cheryl filed a successful claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and received a settlement covering her medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. SIRVA symptoms typically include sudden pain within 48 hours of vaccination, restricted range of motion, and discomfort that can last for weeks or months.

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What Happens After a Flu Shot—and When Injuries Occur

While the influenza vaccine protects millions each year, not every outcome is positive. For most people, the immune response involves mild effects like muscle aches, a sore throat, or fatigue. These symptoms typically resolve within about two weeks. However, certain reactions signal something more serious.

Some individuals experience adverse reactions including severe allergic reactions, nerve injuries, or long-term joint damage. These complications aren’t theoretical—they are medically documented, and recognized by health authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Reactions most often follow flu shot vaccine injections, particularly when improper technique is used. Below, we break down what to expect after your shot, which injuries are listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and which conditions—while not listed—may still be eligible for compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

What to Expect After a Flu Shot

It takes up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to trigger full protection. In that time, many people experience mild effects—evidence that the body’s immune system is responding. These may include:

Muscle aches
Low fever
Redness at the injection site

However, more serious responses are also possible. Severe illness, flu-related complications, or unexpected reactions like shoulder injuries may follow due to improper injection or heightened immune response. People with chronic health conditions, egg allergy, or a weakened immune system are more likely to have complications, especially during peak flu season.

Injuries Covered by the Vaccine Injury Table

The Vaccine Injury Table lists conditions that are officially linked to specific vaccines—including the seasonal influenza vaccine. For flu shots, this includes:

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Anaphylaxis or life-threatening allergic reaction
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Vasovagal syncope (fainting)
Brachial neuritis

These injuries are eligible for compensation as long as symptoms appear within a set timeframe after the vaccination dose. Filing under the VICP does not involve suing your doctor—it’s a no-fault system funded by vaccine manufacturers and monitored by federal health programs.

Off-Table Injuries That May Still Qualify

Not every vaccine injury is listed. However, that does not mean it isn’t real—or that it doesn’t qualify. We regularly represent clients with off-table injuries such as:

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Chronic pain and nerve inflammation
Long-term damage to muscles, joints, or tissue
Adverse reactions not yet formally recognized by regulators

With strong medical records and legal support, it is possible to prove that a flu vaccination caused your injury and recover compensation—even if the injury is not on the table.

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SEE OUR NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS

See some of our vaccine injury settlements in the VICP.

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Flu Shot Vaccine & the VICP

MEET MAX

Max is a founding Partner of My Vaccine Lawyer and has been a Super Lawyer for 11 years straight.

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Flu Shot Vaccine & the VICP

MEET PAUL

Paul is a founding Partner at My Vaccine Lawyer and has been featured in the Washington Post and CBS News for his accomplishments.

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Flu Shot Vaccine & the VICP

How the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Works

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) exists to support individuals who experience adverse reactions to vaccines, including the flu vaccine, without blaming or suing their doctor. Instead of filing a lawsuit, injured patients submit a claim to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, where a specialized process is used to determine if the vaccine likely caused the injury. This includes reviewing your medical conditions, symptoms, vaccination dose, and treatment history. Common claims from flu shots include severe allergic reaction, chronic medical conditions worsened by the vaccine, and injection site injuries like SIRVA.

This is a no-fault system. The money doesn’t come from your doctor or clinic. It comes from a surcharge that vaccine manufacturers pay per dose of vaccine administered—including every seasonal flu vaccine, nasal spray vaccine, and traditional vaccines. Since the program began, the VICP has paid out over $5 billion in compensation. It balances disease control and prevention with fairness for those impacted by serious complications. If you suffered an injury after a flu vaccination, the VICP is how you pursue recovery—without ever setting foot in court.

What You Need to File a Claim

If you're planning to file a claim for a flu shot vaccine injury, documentation is everything. Claims must include full records of your diagnosis, date and type of vaccine, the specific flu viruses the shot was designed to protect against, and how quickly symptoms developed. It's important to show the injury wasn’t due to a separate medical condition, but was a direct result of the influenza vaccination. For injuries like severe illness or complications from a nasal spray flu vaccine, your records should show your condition worsened soon after the vaccination dose, and that you sought medical attention promptly.

A successful case also depends on timing. The law requires most claims to be filed within three years from the first signs of injury. That’s why identifying the initial symptoms, getting a proper workup, and documenting any flu-related hospitalizations are crucial. Our legal team has handled cases for people with chronic health conditions and high risk groups—including pregnant women and those exposed during peak flu season. Every year, over 150 million flu doses are distributed in the U.S. alone. If you're one of the few injured, you shouldn’t bear the cost alone.

If you've suffered complications after your flu shot, My Vaccine Lawyer is here to help. We’ll assess your case and explain how to move forward with confidence.

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Flu Shot Vaccine & the VICP

The Legal Process for Vaccine Injury Cases

Vaccine injury cases follow a unique legal process. Since these claims are handled under the VICP, they require an attorney with experience in federal vaccine litigation. At My Vaccine Lawyer, we start with a free consultation to assess your claim. We then gather medical records, expert testimony, and supporting evidence to build a strong case. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

1. Contact Your Doctor

If you suffered a vaccine-related injury, adverse effects or worsening symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

2. Call My Vaccine Lawyer

For a free consultation. We are licensed to practice in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

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