Shoulder septic arthritis following routine influenza vaccination

The UK vaccination guidelines state that skin cleansing is not essential in socially clean patients. This report discusses a 69-year-old type 2 diabetic patient with a 4-week history of left shoulder pain with no precipitating factors other than a ‘flu vaccination without having had skin alcohol cleansing. She sustained a swollen left painful shoulder. Aspiration fluid grew Staphylococcus aureus and imaging confirmed diagnosis of septic arthritis. She underwent shoulder debridement and was started on antibiotics. Imaging 6 months later shows the sequelae of septic arthritis. The patient had ongoing stiffness and pain at 6 months. This report raises the question of whether there needs to be a revision of routine skin cleansing practice before vaccinations in certain groups of individuals.