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One arm or two? for a vaccine?

(27 Posts)
Glorianny Sat 16-Sep-23 13:46:03

I've just had my flu jab and covid booster. The man doing it said he always did one in each arm. I asked for both in one- my left. I like to sleep on my side and a jab in each arm could pause problems for that. He did as I asked. But I wondered about GNers. Are you a one arm, or a two?

GrannyGravy13 Sat 16-Sep-23 13:57:34

I have booked flu & Covid vaccinations 18 days apart, I did the same last year. There is no way I would have them at the same time, let alone same arm.

nanaK54 Sat 16-Sep-23 13:58:38

Two arms - we had ours this morning

susytish Sat 16-Sep-23 14:06:04

I don’t want mine together, I will have the flu jab next month. My husband is on chemo and was told not to have them both at the same time.

Iam64 Sat 16-Sep-23 14:11:53

I had mine this morning, both arms

Caravansera Sat 16-Sep-23 14:11:59

There’s an argument for using separate arms or having the vaccinations done at separate times so that if there is a local adverse reaction it’s easy to tell what is causing it.

Unless there is an overridding medical reason, there’s no harm in having both in the same arm at the same time.

Some say it’s a good idea always to have them in the same arm. First port of call is the nearest lymph node usually the armpit. The immune cells there already have some knowledge of the vaccine from previous shots so build on what they already know.

You might find this from The Atlantic interesting:

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/09/covid-booster-flu-shot-arm-soreness/671444/

tanith Sat 16-Sep-23 14:13:03

Mine were done different arms a week ago.

Witzend Sat 16-Sep-23 14:13:16

I never have them on the same day,,let alone in the same arm. Not that I’ve ever experienced ill effects, but a friend did - she had a very painful arm for ages after having 2 in the same arm on the same day.

Having had some very flu-ey side effects from the first COVID jab (I’m not complaining - I was actually pleased that it was evidently doing something!) I don’t want anything else on the same day at all - pref several days apart.

Georgesgran Sat 16-Sep-23 14:14:02

Same day, different arms last time.

Sparklefizz Sat 16-Sep-23 14:17:17

Planning to have them on different days and different arms.

Glorianny Sat 16-Sep-23 14:21:12

Thanks Caravansera that's a fascinating article.

nanasam Sat 16-Sep-23 14:23:21

I was part of a clinical trial to assess whether flu and Covid jabs would be safe to be administered together. I had no adverse reaction so will be quite happy to have my boosters at the same time. Would probably choose to have them in separate arms as I turn over several times a night!

Wheniwasyourage Sat 16-Sep-23 14:25:13

Same time, two arms.

lemsip Sat 16-Sep-23 14:36:23

I take two paracetamols before the jabs to pre empt any discomfort.

MayBee70 Sat 16-Sep-23 14:38:57

I wouldn’t normally have two done at the same time but last year we turned up for our flu jabs and were offered a covid jab at the same time so went for it. To be honest, since the pandemic I’m happy to be vaccinated for anything they’ll give me!

MiniMoon Sat 16-Sep-23 15:55:46

Had mine last Autum both inches same arm. I'm a side sleeper too and had them in the arm I don't sleep on. I had no problems.

BlueBelle Sat 16-Sep-23 16:03:42

I have mine same day two arms never had a problem

Scribbles Sat 16-Sep-23 16:12:55

Last year, I had cv19 and flu vaccines at the same time but the nurse refused to do them both in the same arm, saying that they'd "been instructed to use both arms". Result? I had two very sore arms that felt like they'd been hit by a train and had to sleep uncomfortably on my back for several nights.
This year, not a problem. I had flu done today but, so far, the GP practice has had no notification of when they can expect cv19 vaccine supplies.

Quokka Sat 16-Sep-23 16:14:38

Wouldn’t have both on same day anyway.

PamelaJ1 Sat 16-Sep-23 17:23:29

Could you have one in your bottom? They did used to do that back in the day😂

LauraNorderr Sat 16-Sep-23 17:40:21

As long as you don’t go dancing cheek to cheek PamelaJ1.

annodomini Sat 16-Sep-23 18:06:28

I've had one in each arm today and thought nothing of it. I was glad I didn't have to wait and queue at another clinic for a second jab. I didn't even feel the flu shot going in, though the covid one was definitely an 'ouch'!

Callistemon21 Sat 16-Sep-23 18:08:41

Different times.
Same arm, I can't have vaccines in the other one.

JenniferEccles Sat 16-Sep-23 18:23:46

This is an interesting question.
We are booked in at the GP surgery for both jabs next month.
I would probably prefer to have them on separate occasions but then small babies manage to cope perfectly well with the MMR vaccine so I’m sure I will be fine.

If given the choice I will probably have both in one arm.

I’ve never had an adverse reaction to either vaccines in the past apart from a slightly sore arm like most folk get.

Oldbat1 Sat 16-Sep-23 18:34:46

My surgery hadnt organised anything so far. I booked my flu at Boots on line. Had it day after i booked which was Thurs. still not heard anything from surgery. Dh clinically should be given flu as a cancer patient but nothing from surgery likewise with covid.