A recent study by researchers from Australia, the US, and Germany has shed new light on whether switching arms between COVID-19 vaccinations offers any benefits. The trial involved 30 healthy participants who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, three weeks apart – with half receiving both shots in the same arm.
The results showed that those who received both doses in the same arm produced neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 significantly faster, within the first week after the second dose. These antibodies were also more effective against variants like Delta and Omicron. However, this immune boost was short-lived, with similar antibody levels observed four weeks after the booster.
The study suggests that while same-arm vaccinations may offer temporary protection, it is not a sustainable strategy for achieving long-term immunity. The researchers argue that further research is needed to understand how vaccines work to boost our immune systems and make practical recommendations.
However, the findings do suggest that this approach could potentially help achieve herd immunity faster during a pandemic, especially in the initial weeks after vaccination. As one of the study’s lead authors noted, “nature has come up with this brilliant system and we’re just now beginning to understand it.”
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/which-arm-gets-vaccinated-could-play-a-role-in-your-immune-response