Left or right arm: Choosing where to get vaccinated matters, study suggests. Here's why

[question everything]

Last edited Thu Aug 17, 2023, 01:57 PM - Edit history (1)

Researchers in Germany found people who got all their shots in one arm had a stronger immune response than those who distributed shots between both arms, according to a study published last week in eBioMedicine, a peer-reviewed journal from The Lancet Discovery Science.

In the observational study, authors analyzed immune responses from about 300 people who never had COVID-19 and received two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine between March and September 2021.

Study participants were randomized to receive both doses in one arm or the second dose in the opposite arm. Two weeks after receiving the shots, researchers discovered certain immune cells – commonly known as “killer T cells” – were detected in 67% of people who received both injections in the same arm versus only 43% of those who got them in different arms.

People may respond better to sequential shots in the same arm because the vaccines are targeting the same lymph nodes, making them more active in producing immune cells to fight off infections, study authors suggest. While researchers detected a difference in these cells, they didn't see a similar trend in spiked protein antibodies.

Although preliminary and small, the study shows how the reason why some people react differently to vaccines could go further than just age, sex and medical conditions.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/left-arm-choosing-where-vaccinated-091608657.html

On edit, this study, I think, concentrates on the first two Pfizer shots that were given three weeks apart. Now we get our vaccines months and even a year - for the flu shot - apart.

[viva la]

1. That's good news. I always get them in the left arm--

Because I'm right handed and don't want that hand impaired even for a day. So it's good to know that I accidentally made the right decision!

I had an appt to get a flu shot and booster (I already had one in March) next month, but cancelled it to wait for the new shot, which should be available in October. I'm also hoping the new RSV shot will be available then.

[piddyprints]

2. I got my 5th Covid shot in my right arm, after having the previous ones in my left arm.

My reasoning was that I didn’t really want my dominant arm to be sore again. (I’m a leftie.) I haven’t caught Covid yet, even though I had a very sick Covid-positive guest in my home for 2 weeks last summer.

One thing I did notice about switching arms is that the shot in my right arm made my entire upper arm and shoulder sore for several months instead of a few days. The shot was in October and my shoulder was still sore in June. It’s still a little iffy when I raise my arm a certain way. I hope doing that didn’t affect my immunity. So far, so good.

I went ahead and got my first Shingrix in my left arm. It was only sore for a day. Second one will go there too.

[Captain Zero]

3. Now I'm trying to remember which arm

I got mine in. Haha.

But it's right arm because I sleep a lot on my left arm.

[MOMFUDSKI]

4. Got all 5

in my left arm. Friend got Covid vax, flu, and one more type (I forgot what) in 1 arm with all 3 done 1 inch away from each other!!!

[yellowdogintexas]

5. I get all my shots in the left arm because I am right handed

If my arm gets sore, I don't have to use it.

There is one exception: if I am getting 2 vaccinations at the same time, I will get one of them in the right arm

[Sneederbunk]

6. Always get it in my right arm because I hate my left arm.