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Original poster

Is post-vaccine arm ache a sign that you’ve been correctly vaccinated with the correct dose, or just a symptom of being jabbed in a muscle?

26 replies

silkydog · 19/07/2021 03:09

I’m just worried I’ve not been vaccinated properly. There was a lot of cold cloudy white liquid that ran down my arm.

OP posts:
GrandmaAli · 19/07/2021 03:19

I was just going to say it's because you've been jabbed in the muscle so it might hurt awhile.
My first jab was in my left arm back in March and is still a little tender when I lie on it, but that's because I tend to lie on my left side and other than that both jabs have been fine.
Then you said about the discharge...... I'm afraid I know nothing about that but if you're worried, and tbh I would be, then call your doctor or NHS Direct for advice!!!

GrandmaAli · 19/07/2021 03:20

Which jab did you have? I had the AZ.

Original poster
silkydog · 19/07/2021 03:28

Thanks for replying at this hour! I had the Pfizer. I asked at the the time and the nurse said it sometimes happens. I checked with the Dr on duty at the vaccination centre who questioned the nurse but the nurse said it was only a little (I didn’t think so!) and I also called my own gp and the general consensus is that if the nurse was happy then it’s been correctly done. I’ve read so much since to make me think it hasn’t been though! Am pinning my hopes in arm ache meaning I’ve had the correct dose…

OP posts:
Silkiecats · 19/07/2021 03:43

When I was vaccinated 2 x AZ there was no liquid coming out and I didn't get arm ache either. I think arm ache is more being injected rather than a sign you have been vaccinated properly.

Though its difficult as giving you another dose if some went in maybe would give you too much. If the GP and the nurse said its OK then I would assume its best to leave as is.

GrandmaAli · 19/07/2021 03:53

silkydog,
I'm usually awake around this time.
I think it's probably fine, it may have been excess from the needle as they push air out before injecting us.
I'm not a medical person so I'm afraid that's the best I can tell you.
If it continues to worry you, do call your doctor again. Even if s/he reiterates what they've already said at least you've registered your worries in case of anything coming out in the future!
But please try not to worry. x

hashbrownsandwich · 19/07/2021 04:02

I am trained to give vaccinations. It's unlikely the nurse who actually administered it would also be the drawer (the one who fills the injection with vaccine) so I would assume the correct amount of vaccine was there.
If nurse managed to hit a bone then she may have withdrawn too quickly.
I would also assume as a nurse she would know to do in the deltoid muscle.
A small amount of liquid can seem like a lot but should be fine.
Realistically if you've discussed with multiple qualified professionals there isn't much else you can do.

JuneJuly · 19/07/2021 04:19

I had terrible arm ache & soreness around the injection site after my first Pfizer vaccine. I wasn't aware of any of the vaccine 'escaping' & running down my arm at the time but then I didn't really look, so it could've happened but I just didn't see it.

Reading up on it just reassured me that the aching & soreness reaction indicated that the vaccine was working as it should do.

HasselbackForLife · 19/07/2021 04:41

Arm ache is a totally normal side effect but I have no idea if that's due to the needle or the vaccine. As for a bit of liquid leaving after your arm, my understanding is you only really need a tiny amount for your body to get to work to create antibodies so I think you'll be fine. If you want to know for sure you could always pay for an antibody test after 3 weeks I guess.

HasselbackForLife · 19/07/2021 04:43

Also, when did you have the vaccine? If you have other symptoms too (such as a slight temperature, headache etc), I would assume it's worked fine.

WindFlower92 · 19/07/2021 05:48

I thought the arm ache was from the ingredients in the vaccine and not from just being injected? Is the case with other vaccines.

Buttons294749 · 19/07/2021 08:03

I always get arm ache from the flu jab too, I think it's just the muscle contracting after bring poked

OttilieStonelady · 19/07/2021 08:26

The ache is a reaction to the vaccine, not the needle. The needle is very, very small. Some people have strong reactions, some don't.

lljkk · 19/07/2021 08:39

I understood that... The amount of liquid in the vaccine is miniscule; you can't notice it. It's like 0.8 ml. Dunno what was on your harm -- sanitiser gel, maybe??

SuperstoreFan · 19/07/2021 08:43

I'm sure that there was a different thread last week about an OP who had cold liquid run down her arm.

RoseAndRose · 19/07/2021 08:53

Cold liquid won't be the jab - they go in at room temperature (or very close to it) especially at big centres where they know they'll be giving out the shots (and so get them out of the fridge at the right time)

Did they use any sort of gel or wipe? That can feel very cold on the skin?

Poshjock · 19/07/2021 09:32

It is absolutely possible to be vaccine running down the arm. An incorrect technique could cause this. It also could be cold, vaccine is brought out the fridge prior to reconstitution so the first draw out of the vial will feel cold. It’s a tiny dose of 0.3ml so if it ran down the arm that’s a significant amount. I’ve had one failure where the syringe parted from the needle while I was pushing the plunger and I felt some cold splashes against my skin so I knew the full dose couldn’t have gone in. The advice from the senior vaccinator (band 7 nurse specialist in our clinics) was to revaccinate immediately. Correct technique (per national protocol) involves applying pressure for 2 mins after needle removal so what you felt shouldn’t have happened.

Poshjock · 19/07/2021 09:34

No gels or wipes are to be used on skin prior to vaccinating unless the skin is visibly dirty (I’ve not experienced this yet!) - per National Protocol. And gel couldn’t come from vaccinator’s hands as this should be fully rubbed in/evaporated as part of sanitising procedure.

Anothermuddywalk · 19/07/2021 10:03

I get B12 injections every three months and my arm never aches from those. But it hurt for a good few days after both my vaccine jabs, so I take that to mean that the ache is a response to the vaccine and nothing to do with the needle going in to the muscle.

IndigoC · 19/07/2021 10:52

@OttilieStonelady

The ache is a reaction to the vaccine, not the needle. The needle is very, very small. Some people have strong reactions, some don't.
Yes, it’s a reaction to the vaccine. I give myself B12 shots (in the thigh) and never suffer pain.

After my second Moderna shot the arm pain that developed was beyond anything I could put down to muscle pain. It was extraordinary. And the resolved too abruptly to be injured tissue.

TurquoiseDress · 19/07/2021 10:54

Most likely because you've been jabbed in the muscle

lljkk · 19/07/2021 11:11

What was the "lots of cloudy" liquid that ran down OP's arm?

Original poster
silkydog · 19/07/2021 15:18

I’m really worried now, I’ve been at work today (with people not socially distancing at all and without masks) so I’m going to call 111 when I get in and see if there’s a way I can get in touch with the vaccination centre as I can’t see anything online. What it looked like was basically exactly what the liquid looks like at the very bottom of the bottle in this photo ☹️

Is post-vaccine arm ache a sign that you’ve been correctly vaccinated with the correct dose, or just a symptom of being jabbed in a muscle?
OP posts:
OttilieStonelady · 19/07/2021 15:57

Not being funny but what do you expect them to say? The nurse told you it was fine, you've been told that if the nurse told you I was fine then you're good to go. So... You want another jab?

tgt123 · 19/07/2021 16:21

I mean this kindly but I would try to be reassured by their responses to you when you raised it. It's highly unlikely any action will be taken if you call the vaccination centre and I doubt they're allowed to give you another one so soon as there are authorised time periods between doses.

Presumably you also have your second dose still to come which will boost your protection further.

Cookerhood · 19/07/2021 16:35

Pfizer is clear not cloudy, but there would be no other liquid that could have run down your arm.