Struggling - Covid booster in leg?

Hi Birdrock,

• Hope you are recovering well from your surgery.

I underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy every 3rd week ending 26th Sept prior to having surgery.

My oncologist advised me to have the annual flu jab & a 3rd normal COVID injection (not the booster) before surgery. She explained not to have in the arm on the. side due for surgery.

I booked my flu jab appointment at my GP surgery & on attendance I explained no injections in either arm - right one I have a PICC Line  & left one awaiting surgery. I asked if I could have the injection in my leg. I was advised to have it in my buttock - their preferred place if not in the arm - so had flu jab in my right buttock on 30th Sept

When I went for the COVID injection, I again explained about  both my arms being unable to be injected, had the injection in my left buttock on 8th Oct

I had my surgery on 20th Oct (lumpectomy & lymph nodes removed - left breast & armpit).

Hope my information helps you.

Stay safe & take great care of yourself.

Jen 

My reply disappeared! Hi Wren21, I have the same problem. For 12 years I had flu jabs in the leg from GP and pharmacist with no difficulty. Covid 1&2 were also problem free, probably because they were given by qualified nurses. Different story with the booster. I was met by an inexperienced vaccinator who panicked and started talking about my going to a special centre. I was furious and insisted that she find someone more qualified. After a long wait she came back with a paramedic who taught her as she gave me the jab. They have to have properly qualified staff there in case someone has a reaction. Just poor training and no need for it. Don’t let them mess you about, turn up and insist. Good luck x

Well what would they do if an arm amputee turned up? Equality Act means they’d have to make reasonable adjustments. I’d just turn up and demand, like others have said. They’ll be someone extra qualified on site to assist if your vaccinator isn’t trained

Thanks for taking the time to reply Jen.  It's much appreciated.  I hope your recovery is going ok.  Keep going. xx

Hi,  & thank you.  I managed my flu jab in my bum but not before the pharmacist at the GP refused to do it stating I had to see my GP so appointment made only to be told by GP to make appointment with the nurse.  1 week later I turn up & was told the 'nurse' was only qualified for arm jabs & she had to go & poach a nurse from elsewhere!  Re: the Covid booster,  I emailed my GP before I saw your reply.  She was as frustrated as I but as they don't offer the booster jab she's had to write to my consultant to ask his advice.  It's like a game of tennis!!   I'm not confrontational but I think I'll have to bite the bullet.  What happens if I'm referred to a pharmacist/chemist where there isn't a nurse on hand I wonder.

Hi & thank you. I totally agree.  The MacMillan nurse said they have so many patients this is affecting & it just hasn't been taken into consideration.  As I said previously  I'm not confrontational but I think I'll have to bite the bullet. We shouldn't have to.  With my surgery fairly recent I just don't want to take any risk if I can avoid it.  Having it in my arm apparently introduces a 10% risk of lymphodema which is 10% too much & as  it differs from person to person. this is not a difinitive figure.   What happens if I'm referred to a pharmacist/chemist where there isn't a nurse on hand I wonder?   

If you have some written information to that effect, perhaps printed off from Macmillan or Breast Cancer Care you could present it to whoever is in charge.

Wren21 it is disgraceful that you are being treated like this. Unfortunately we all have to be confrontational these days. I kicked up a big stink and they had to sort me out. Good luck. X

Hi, I checked with a friend who works in a vaccination centre and she advises they are allowed to inject into arm and thigh,  hope this helps x

Hi Birdrock, I'm getting on well, thank you.

Hope you've managed to have your COVID jab.

Stay safe & take great care of yourself.

Jen