Millions of people have rolled up the COVID-19 vaccine, but why not roll up their trouser legs? Why do we have the most shots?

as a Associate Professor of Nursing I have a public health background and am the mother of two curious children, so I often ask this question. Therefore, this is the scientific basis behind why we buy most vaccines.

It is worth noting that Most (but not all) vaccines Is endowed with muscles-this is called Intramuscular injection. Some vaccines, such as the rotavirus vaccine, are taken orally.Others can only use it under or under the skin-think about it Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. However, there are many other muscles.

But why is muscle so important and position important?And why the arm muscles-called Deltoid muscle -Above the shoulders?

Muscles have immune cells

Muscle is an excellent place for vaccination, because muscle tissue contains important immune cells.These immune cells recognize antigen, A tiny virus or bacteria introduced by a vaccine that can stimulate an immune response.under these circumstances COVID-19 vaccine, It is not introducing antigens, but managing the blueprint for generating antigens.Immune cells in muscle tissue absorb these antigens and present them to Lymph nodes. Injecting the vaccine into the muscle tissue can keep the vaccine in a localized state, so that immune cells can alert other immune cells and start working.

After the immune cells in the muscle recognize the vaccine, these cells carry the antigen to the lymphatic vessels, and the lymphatic vessels transport the antigen-carrying immune cells to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are a key component of our immune system. It contains more immune cells that can recognize the antigen in the vaccine and start immunity. The immune process that produces antibodies.

Clusters of lymph nodes are located in the area close to the vaccination site. For example, many vaccines are injected into the deltoid muscle because it is close to the lymph nodes in the armpit. When the vaccine is injected on the thigh, the lymphatic vessels travel a short distance and cannot reach the clusters of lymph nodes in the groin.

Muscles keep the movement local

Muscle tissue also tends to keep the vaccine response local.Vaccination in the deltoid muscle may cause Local inflammation Or soreness at the injection site. If certain vaccines are injected into fat tissue, Increased chance of irritation and inflammation The poor blood supply of adipose tissue results in malabsorption of certain vaccine components.

Includes vaccines for the following purposes Adjuvant – Or components that must enhance the immune response to antigens – must be given in the muscles to avoid widespread irritation and inflammation. Adjuvant Stimulate a stronger immune response in many ways.

Another determining factor is Vaccination location Is the size of the muscle. Adults and children aged 3 years and older tend to be vaccinated in the upper arm of the deltoid muscle. Young children are vaccinated in the middle of the thigh because they have smaller arm muscles and poor development.

Another consideration in the vaccination process is convenience and patient acceptability. Can you imagine putting down your pants in a mass vaccination clinic? It is easier and preferable to roll up your sleeves. During flu season or during epidemics like COVID-19, the outbreak of infectious diseases requires our public health system to vaccinate as many people as possible in a short period of time. For these reasons, just because the upper arm is easy to reach, it is best to hit a ball on the arm.

All things considered, when it comes to influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, for most adults and children, the arm is the preferred route of vaccination.

Libby RichardsAssociate Professor of Nursing Purdue University

The article was republished on conversation Under the Creative Commons license.read Source article.