Doctors on why they prefer a person’s left (or right) hand to administer vaccine — and if it impacts efficacy

There are numerous dos and don’ts when it comes to taking vaccines. But today, we would like to understand how vaccines are administered and why one particular arm is chosen over the other, and whether that also affects the vaccine’s efficacy.

Dr Rajeev Gupta, director, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi said that normally, the upper deltoid region of the left arm for right-handed individuals is preferred. “This preference is due to the potential for local pain at the injection site, which could impede the use of the dominant hand if the vaccine were administered in the right arm. By choosing the left arm, right-handed people can avoid discomfort that might interfere with their daily activities,” said Dr Gupta.

Additionally, the deltoid is easy to access and less sensitive than other potential injection sites, making the process more comfortable for the recipient, said Dr Amit P Ghawade, consultant- pediatrician and neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Mumbai.

However, if you have had a previous reaction or experience with a vaccine in one arm, it may be preferable to use the other arm to avoid any potential issues, said Dr Ghawade.

The government’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) covers vaccination for children (Express photo/File)

So, does the choice of arm affect efficacy?

Denying the hypothesis, Dr Gupta said that the choice of arm does not affect the efficacy of the vaccine, as the immune response remains the same regardless of which arm is used. “This consideration applies to all vaccines, ensuring that individuals can comfortably continue their routines without compromising the effectiveness of the immunisation,” said Dr Gupta.

It’s important to note that these guidelines apply to most routine vaccines, such as the flu shot, Covid-19 vaccine, and other common immunisations. “However, there may be exceptions for certain vaccines or specific medical conditions. In such cases, it is always best to follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider,” said Dr Ghawade.

However, Dr Ghawade added that individual circumstances and preferences should also be considered when deciding which arm to use for vaccine administration.

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