I always ask for vaccines in my dominate arm. You use it more, far better for the muscle. They are given Inter muscular.

We're both right-handed and had both shots in our left arm. No problem at all, but I do see Judy's point. I always get vac shots in my left arm, such as flu, pneumonia and shingles. Guess I've just been lucky.

I had both in my non-dominant arm in case it got too sore to use for a while. I had no pain from either shot, either when it was given or after. The only thing I felt was if I pushed on the area where the shot was administered, it felt a little like it had been bruised.

From everyone I've talked to, it really doesn't seem to be an issue as to which arm, or much arm pain either way.

We both had both our shots in our non-dominate left arms. For no reason other than that's the way we were facing the PA that day (shared a room with our second shot). When I'm having blood drawn, I always offer them my right inner arm/elbow. I've got the easiest darned vein there for a blood draw, I get in and out so quickly.

I do both in non-dominant arm but make extra effort to move it a lot after the shot to help dissipate the injection.

I'm right handed, got both shots in my left arm.

I got both in my left but only because it was easiest to stick out the car window.

Although the second caused more soreness, neither was debilitating so dominate vs. non-dominate wasn't a factor.

ETA, if you're a side sleeper and prefer sleeping on a certain side, it might be better to get it on the side you don't sleep on. I didn't think of it but it wasn't that bad. (I have a bedroom computer/TV to the left of the foot of my bed)

I got both in my right arm because I sleep on my left side. I got the second yesterday and it seems a bit more sore than the first! Maybe it's my imagination!

I'm right-handed and got both shots in my left arm. My arm never hurt with either shot.

I'm ambidextrous, but chose the same arm both times. I wish I had heard that trading arms might be better. I guess antibodies are fully systemic, and don't really matter? I hope!

I went to a drive through, so left arm for the first one and will also be the left arm for the second one.

I am left handed, always get injections in left arm . Same here with no pain. Jokingly said I felt nothing, hope I received injections.

My husband and I are both right-handed, and we both received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine in our left arms. Hubs said his arm felt a tiny bit sore for one day after the second injection. My arm was sore after both injections, but much more after the second injection (more pain and for about six days). I'm a side sleeper, but I change from side to side during the night, so taking the injection in one arm and avoiding sleeping on that arm wouldn't work for me.

BUT, it has apparently been documented that the vaccine can cause a temporary swelling of the axillary lymph nodes. This has caused an "abnormal" mammogram for some women getting mammograms done relatively soon after getting their vaccine. In other words, the radiologists reading the films have thought there were abnormalities on the mammograms of women who had the imaging done too soon after receiving the vaccine, because they noted swollen lymph glands. For that reason, some folks are recommending that women receive both injections in the same arm and, if they haven't yet had their mammogram done, to wait at least six weeks after getting the vaccine before going for their mammogram. I'm overdue for my mammogram. It should have been done in October, and even though I have a family history of metastatic breast cancer, I didn't want to risk being exposed to Covid by going to the hospital complex for the mammogram. At any rate, if you've had the vaccine injection(s) and then get a mammogram, be sure to let the technician know that you've had the vaccine, and when.

Got both in my right arm and got my allergy shot between them and in the right. I am left handed.

Got the first in my right and will get the second I my right, too. My,left arm hurts all the time due to torn rotator cuff, so I’m spreading the pain around. I get #2 on Saturday. Hoping for no reaction!

It was suggested when I got both shots that I get them in the arm that I don’t sleep on. Reason was that if your arm hurts, you won’t be able to sleep in your normal position. I am a side sleeper on my left side. I got both shots in my right arm which is my dominant arm.

Both in left, non-dominant arm. No problem with either shot.

1st shot in my left arm so far. My right arm has scarring and soreness from skin cancer treatment, so I won't be switching for the 2nd.

I insist all vaccines be given in my right, dominant side for the same reason as Judy Good. Movement keeps the muscle from freezing up. I need my left arm to ride and I don't have the extra time it takes for a non dominant arm to heal.

This is HILARIOUS. It makes no difference, in the end, dominate/non, movement, same arm/different arm etc. I got mine both in the left. My left hip does not allow me to lay on it so knew IF the arm was sore..yadda yadda. Nurse said "good as any reason".

Left cheek both times :-p

I haven't even had the first shot yet but have an appointment for Pfizer next Wednesday. I will get both in my left arm because I sleep on my right side. I always have blood taken from the right arm because the vein in my left arm usually rolls.

I disagree Arcy - it can be important as to which arm you receive a shot into. Some people are experiencing pain, swelling and redness in the shot area. Also anyone that has had lymph nodes removed or damaged is told by their physician how to proceed with any future injections in that area.

I got the first in my right arm and my second in my left. They didn’t ask, it was just the way I was facing, either way they both got sore.

Both shots in left arm. Sleep on my left side. No soreness or anything with first injection, second injection a bit sore. Hasn't bothered me sleeping on it at all.

Exactly, Raye - my mom has no lymph nodes in her right arm due to a mastectomy, and even tho she got her first shot in her left arm, her right arm still swelled and it's likely to be permanent now. Before now, she had experienced no swelling in that arm. She can't have any bloodwork, or shots in that arm, BTW.

FWIW, after that happened, she received her 2nd shot in her left thigh to reduce the chance of further swelling. They will accomodate people for things like that.

Why would it be permanent swelling Carol? My lymph nodes swelled, but shrank. I'm on immunosuppressing drugs.

It was a drive through at the mall, I was driving, left arm both times. Husband was in the passenger seat so right arm both times. They were about 2 weeks apart. My husband had a sore arm both times, I didn't have a sore arm either time.

Lymph nodes were removed, so there's nothing there to drain fluid, rob.

I read a medical article which said whichever arm you get the shot, immediately after, move that arm, lift something which weighs a pound or more. Keep moving it. The vaccine, or any shot given in a muscle will sit there unless you work that arm immediately to push the vaccine out to the blood stream. If you do nothing, it sits in the muscle and causes irritation, inflammation which slows down the process of getting the vaccine out of the muscle.

The only way to get it out is to keep bending your elbow, lift something at least a pound up and down. Move the arm and move the vaccine out to the blood stream from the muscle.

I had my first shot (Moderna) had to wait 15 minutes after, spent the time bending my elbow and lifting my pocketbook (which probably weights a few pounds), up and down for the whole time I waited.

I had no soreness at all. Nothing! No side effects from the vaccine at all.

Jane