There may be an added benefit to getting COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters in the same arm, says a German study.
The study found the number of protective “killer T cells” was higher in those who received the mRNA vaccine and booster shot in the same arm.
Around 67% of cases in which both shots were administered in the same arm had the presence of killer T cells, compared to 43% of cases where different arms were used.
So receiving vaccinations in the same arm may provide better protection, says Laura Ziegler, a doctoral student at Saarland University.
Same-arm vaccinations may also be more effective because the immune response cells are localised in the lymph nodes.
However, it is important to note that the study authors acknowledge the need for further research to establish whether same-arm vaccinations are genuinely more effective for COVID-19 shots and sequential vaccinations for other diseases like the flu.
What are your thoughts on this study? Do you believe there should be more emphasis on administering vaccinations in the same arm? Did you get both shots in the same arm?