Is it safe to receive a vaccine with bursitis?

Vaccination with Bursitis is Safe and Should Not Be Delayed

Yes, it is safe to receive a vaccine when you have bursitis—the presence of bursitis is not a contraindication to vaccination, and vaccines should be administered at the earliest opportunity. 1

Key Safety Principles

Bursitis itself does not prevent vaccination. The only absolute contraindication to vaccination is a history of anaphylaxis or serious allergic reaction to vaccine components. 1 Minor illnesses and localized musculoskeletal conditions like bursitis do not contraindicate vaccine administration. 1

Important Considerations for Safe Administration

Injection Site Selection

• Avoid injecting directly into or immediately adjacent to an area of active bursitis to prevent exacerbating local inflammation 1
• If bursitis affects one shoulder (e.g., subdeltoid bursitis), administer the vaccine in the opposite deltoid muscle 1
• For bilateral shoulder involvement, consider alternative sites such as the anterolateral thigh in adults 1

Proper Injection Technique is Critical

The primary cause of vaccine-related bursitis (SIRVA - Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) is improper injection technique, not the vaccine itself:

• Use the correct anatomical landmark: 3 finger breadths (2-3 inches) below the acromion process 2, 3
• Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular to the skin), not at 45 degrees 1, 3
• Use appropriate needle length: 1-1.5 inches for adults depending on body habitus 1
• Inject into the deltoid muscle mass, not too high (which risks bursal injection) 2, 4

Clinical Context

Why This Matters

• Vaccination-related shoulder injuries, including bursitis, occur in approximately 71% of cases in women with a mean age of 53.6 years 2
• These injuries are preventable with proper technique 5, 2, 4
• Most vaccine-related bursitis cases involve influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, likely due to their frequency of administration 2

When Bursitis Develops After Vaccination

If shoulder pain and limited range of motion develop within 48 hours to 3 days post-vaccination and persist beyond typical injection site reactions:

• This represents SIRVA, not a contraindication to future vaccines 5, 2, 3
• Treatment includes NSAIDs, corticosteroids (oral or intrabursal), and physical therapy 6, 5
• Future vaccines should still be given, but with meticulous attention to proper technique 2

Special Populations

For patients on immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids, biologics, DMARDs):

• Vaccines remain safe and should not be delayed 1
• Preferably administer when off corticosteroids or at the lowest tolerable dose for optimal immune response 1
• Inactivated vaccines do not cause disease flares 1

For patients with inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease):

• Vaccination is strongly recommended and safe 1
• Benefits of preventing vaccine-preventable diseases far outweigh any theoretical risks 1

Bottom Line

Do not delay necessary vaccinations due to bursitis. Simply ensure proper injection technique and avoid the affected bursal area. The vaccine itself does not worsen bursitis or cause systemic complications. 1