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canetoad

(18,965 posts) Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:51 PM Monday

Left arm or right? Why it matters where you get your vaccine

If you’re rolling up your sleeves for a flu or COVID vaccine this season, you may not give much thought to which arm ultimately receives the jab.

But new Australian research suggests location does matter when it comes to generating a strong immune response from booster vaccines.

The study, published in the journal Cell on Tuesday, found booster vaccines given in the same arm as the first dose generated a stronger and more rapid immune response.

The findings, made in mice and replicated in humans, shed light on a previously understudied corner of the immune system, and could eventually be used to develop next-generation vaccines that require fewer boosters.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/left-arm-or-right-why-it-matters-where-you-get-your-vaccine-20250424-p5lty6.html

Archive: https://archive.md/P9iB0

10 replies

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Left arm or right? Why it matters where you get your vaccine (Original Post) canetoad Monday OP

Interesting. tanyev Monday #1

Can't think of a possible reason why this would be, but it is interesting. Paticularly since I let the ... marble falls Monday #2

I tend to get them in my non-writing arm Skittles Monday #3

Bobby Jr will make sure that there aren't any comradebillyboy Tuesday #4

Interesting Meowmee Tuesday #5

Same here, but one year I did the same thing and I won't do that again. Rhiannon12866 Tuesday #8

Non dominate arm for me MagickMuffin Tuesday #6

artist. i need my right arm. left arm gets shots etc. pansypoo53219 Tuesday #7

I always get my COVID shots in my left arm LetMyPeopleVote Tuesday #9

If it matters, why not just tell us in the title? Too easy? n/t elocs Tuesday #10

tanyev

(46,232 posts)

1. Interesting.

Reply to canetoad (Original post)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:57 PM

Monday

marble falls

(65,033 posts)

2. Can't think of a possible reason why this would be, but it is interesting. Paticularly since I let the ...

Reply to tanyev (Reply #1)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 11:14 PM

Monday

... medic choose the arm. As an aging Vet with a slew of shots and boosters, I have no clue which arm what shot went where.

Skittles

(163,850 posts)

3. I tend to get them in my non-writing arm

Reply to canetoad (Original post)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 11:21 PM

Monday

so I am good

comradebillyboy

(10,661 posts)

4. Bobby Jr will make sure that there aren't any

Reply to canetoad (Original post)

Tue Apr 29, 2025, 12:36 AM

Tuesday

new flu and covid vaccines this fall. He's a killer and he has no mercy.

Meowmee

(8,897 posts)

5. Interesting

Reply to canetoad (Original post)

Tue Apr 29, 2025, 12:39 AM

Tuesday

I always get mine in my non dominant arm now. One year I got flu in one and pneumonia in the other.

Rhiannon12866

(233,287 posts)

8. Same here, but one year I did the same thing and I won't do that again.

Reply to Meowmee (Reply #5)

Tue Apr 29, 2025, 01:44 AM

Tuesday

MagickMuffin

(17,607 posts)

6. Non dominate arm for me

Reply to canetoad (Original post)

Tue Apr 29, 2025, 12:40 AM

Tuesday

It's a just in case thing, which proved to be the best thing last go round. Tired the kroger pharmacy, never again. My arm hurt for over 2weeks. Hurt like hell, first time having lingering pain.