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COVID vaccinations in the identical arm could possibly be more practical, study says

August 21, 2023 – People could also be higher protected against COVID-19 in the event that they receive a vaccine and a booster shot in the identical arm, in response to a brand new study.

Scientists in Germany examined the health data of 303 individuals who had received the MRA vaccine after which a booster shot. Their antibody levels were measured two weeks after the second vaccination. None of the people had had COVID before the vaccinations.

Scientists found that the variety of protective “killer T cells” was higher within the 147 study participants who received each injections in the identical arm, in response to the study, which was published in EBioMedicine.

In 67 percent of cases where each injections got in the identical arm, the killer cells were found, in comparison with 43 percent of cases with different arms.

“This could indicate that an ipsilateral vaccination (in the same arm) is more likely to provide better protection should the vaccinated person become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” said Laura Ziegler, a doctoral student at Saarland University, in a Press release.

William Schaffner, MD, professor within the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, said CBS News that vaccinations on the identical arm could also be more practical since the cells that provide the immune response are situated within the local lymph nodes.

There is a stronger immunological response if the immune cells within the lymph nodes are stimulated again at the identical location, said Schaffner, who was not involved within the German study.

The scientists at Saarland University said more research was needed before they might make certain that vaccination in the identical arm was actually more practical for COVID vaccinations and consecutive vaccinations against diseases corresponding to flu.