Question about vaccination location and options

[NotanotherboxofFrogs]

I'm due to have the second AZ on Thursday and wanted to double check if it has to be done in the top of the arm or is it suitable for other areas, like thigh. I know it might not distribute/ absorb as well but I am willing to take that chance.

I was taken unawares when receptionist rang me to offer the appointment slot so I forgot to ask her if Dr X would be on duty as she has always been happy to do other jabs in the thigh but the nurse will only do too of shoulder. I will be contacting the surgery when they are open to clarify but wanted to ask MN opinion.

I got the first AZ and had a weak/floppy attack on the way home. (This was not related to the vaccine but due to another condition) and managed to break my wrist and I'm now out of plaster and finished physio so I'm keen not to repeat this, understandably

I usually get the flu jab in my thigh as less reaction to it that way and only antihistamines needed then for localised reaction.

I have bouts of stroke like paralysis which comes from hemiplegic migraines so my left arm (non dominant) which is where they prefer to do vaccination is my weaker one in several ways but as a result of the previous vaccination I still can't lie on that shoulder due to pain from it so I would like to think I will be able to lie on that side again in the near future.

It's perfectly possible to do it in the thigh but I think you should set this up first. I'm a volunteer vaccinator but haven't been taught to do it into the thigh so would have to find someone who could. If your GP is happy to do your flu one in your thigh there is no reason why not to this one. It's one of the options when you complete the vaccination record (left deltoid, right deltoid, left thigh, right thigh)

That's great. I plan to ring the surgery on Tuesday anyway to make sure,

Nurse had turned me away from the flu jab in the past as she would only do top of shoulder and treated me as being awkward, no I like being able to use my arms and not causing more pain \ weakness.

If I can get hold of Dr x via receptionist to confirm they will do or someone else who will.

Vaccination record? Nothing to fill in, probably cos it was my own gp surgery so they have all my records, just the vaccination name and batch, no options on my card to where it was administered.

Am glad to see someone ask about this. My upper arms are just massive bundles of keloid scar. No way of getting a needle in there.

It is possible to have the covid vaccination in the muscle in your thigh.

It can be given in the thigh. Just not the buttock. The deltoid is preferable but the anterolateral thigh can be used as an alternative.

That nurse sounds like a bit of a div. What would she do if she had a bilateral arm amputee in for a jab? 🙄🙄

And the location of where the vaccine is given goes on your medical record, not your patient held record card.

@Sidge thanks for clearing that up, re the record. Yes the front of the thigh is the area for the flu jab.

The nurse is absolutely useless, she did my smear once (well tried to) after 20 mins and managing to tear my inner lining with a plastic speculum by pushing hard, go figure. I was bleeding badly and smear had to be abandoned and I was sent off in an ambulance to emergency gynae consult as GP tried to stem the bleeding but I was pouring out. I soaked incontinence pads in less than 30 seconds type heavy. It took hours to stabilise me and a trip to theatre, she was sent to further training and all my smears are done by the GP now. Dr X as above. I have a tilted womb which also makes it harder.

Bloody hell that is terrible! I’m so sorry you had to go through that.

I usually show solidarity with my practice nurse colleagues but she is a liability and I wouldn’t be seeing her ever again, for anything.

Re injection sites the deltoid is the preferred site, but clinicians need to be adaptable and our PGDs say we can use thighs. I’ve had women who’ve had bilateral breast cancer and removal of lymph nodes in the armpit and so can’t have any vaccines in their arms, for example, so they have all jabs in their legs. Or amputees, or people who’ve had strokes and have hemiplegia so prefer not to risk their “good” side.

Hope all goes smoothly on Thursday for you 💐

Update, it went well. Had a discussion on efficiency and how it might not be as effective but explained the exact spot the pain is coming from and what the problem might stem from. She offered to use a longer IM needle and doing it slowly about an inch and half down from the round of the shoulder. It's done now with no incidences, she also told me that she is changing jobs and finishes at the end of next week. It's felt absolutely fine so far so just waiting to see if any side effects of the vaccine.