Scientists have linked the location of the injection to the effectiveness of the vaccine

Injecting different vaccines into the same arm as the first one can enhance the immune system's response to the drug. How the location of the injection affects the immune response was described in the journal Popular Science.

It has been established that specialized immune cells, macrophages, which play an important role in the fight against pathogens, are activated in the lymph nodes located near the site of vaccine administration. These cells help guide memory B cells to the right places, improving the effectiveness of the body's response to a booster dose if it is injected into the same arm.

Anthony Kelleher, a clinical scientist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales, noted that "the main aspect of the study is how quickly an effective immune system response to the vaccine can be activated."

According to experts, during vaccination, an antigen is injected into the body — a safe version of the pathogen, which then passes through the lymph nodes. They, in turn, serve as a kind of simulator for the immune system, teaching it to fight against real pathogens in the future.

In a clinical trial involving 30 volunteers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, people who received both doses in one hand began to produce neutralizing antibodies against the virus within a week after the second injection. They have also shown great effectiveness against Delta and Omicron strains. After a month, antibody levels in both groups were equal, but early protection proved to be an important factor in the event of outbreaks.

"Don't worry if your vaccinations were done in different hands. Our study shows that the difference in protection decreases over time," said immunologist Mi Lin Munye.

Inflammatory sign: why the issue of mandatory vaccination against meningitis is overdue

The State Duma discussed the inclusion of vaccination against meningococcal infection in the National Calendar

General practitioner Nadezhda Chernyshova on Tuesday, August 5, told how to protect yourself from rubella. According to her, children need to be vaccinated twice — at the age of one year and six years. She recommended that women planning pregnancy take a blood test for antibodies. If there are enough of them after vaccination or a previous illness, you should not worry.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.