“Sterilization” of the skin isn’t possible, really. Sterilization of the skin implies the absence of any living bacteria. Disinfectants (antiseptics) used on the skin do not kill all living microorganisms.
/pedantry
The nurse giving the flu shots today took her best shot at sterilization. She really scrubbed at my shoulder.
Because I was good, I got a tiny candy and a highlighter.
Cool. I couldn’t even get a cute band-aid.
My arm is alright. All calmed down.
That’s good to hear.
The most recent COVID public service announcement shows a singer (forgot his name!) remind folks to get the recent COVID vaccination along with this year’s flu shot. He pushes the top of his tux sleeve down to show TWO bandaids on his arm.
I’ve gotten COVID plus flu and COVID plus RSV at the same time, different arms.
I’m so glad your reaction has calmed down now, @Beckdawrek. You just gotta remember: your body just doesn’t “do” boring!
Becaus of my recent adventure with COVID, I have to wait FOUR months before I can get the latest COVID vaccination. 
~VOW
It’s John Legend:
I got RSV yesterday.
As you can imagine I’ve had many injections, given by myself and others. Not squeamish or afraid at all.
The nurse that gave me this one nearly got punched in the throat. That thing hurt like fire going in my veins.
“Oh, so sorry” she says.
No after reaction. And an odd square band-aid.
More pedantry: at least in the us, most vaccinations k including covid and flu) are intramuscular, not subcutaneous. That means the vaccine is injected into a big muscle, but just under the skin.
The last two years i got the covid and flu vaccines at the same time, in the same arm, close enough together that i only needed one bandaid. The local reaction wasn’t terrible, but i felt tired and achey for a day.
True.
But one needs to poke the needle through the skin to get to the muscle. If that skin is loaded with bacteria, as it normally will be, the needle dragging some of that bacteria inside to the subcutaneous layers or into the muscle itself is a bad thing. Hence the (semi-) sterilizing alcohol wipe over the area first.
I’ve had many many insulin injections.
I was taught to always swab with an alcohol pad, clean hands, no fingers near the needle. It was beat in my head early. Age 3, I was able to inject in my tummy with supervision.
I’ve gotten a couple bumpy itchy things at sites. I know it’s time to move to a new quadrant when that happens.
I have an insulin pump now. I move it around to keep the skin healthy.
Any time you break the skin barrier into your inner workings there’s a chance of an infection. Better swabbed and safe. IMO.
My best friend is diabetic. He injects his insulin without any swabbing, and actually pokes the needle through his shirt. It worries me every time I see him do that, but it’s his body and he’s been doing it for years. It certainly not the way I would handle it, especially since my vaccination infection.
Oh god. That’s dangerous.
In a emergency yeah, do it.
But, in my experience, you always have time to get insulin in. If you know your schedule and eat on a strict regimen.
There’s no need to be so careless.
Low glucose is another thing, altogether. It can be a true emergency. Easily.
Never give an unconscious diabetic insulin until you know their blood sugar count.
Personally, I get kinda drunk acting if my glucose is too high. Confusion, stumbly, slurred speech. Low glucose and I go down to the floor.
If you’re gonna be hanging out with a diabetic you need to know the difference.
I remember raising holy Hell with my ex-step-mother-in-law (L-O-N-G story on that one, People!) about her insulin injections. I bought her boxes of the alcohol wipes, and promised to keep her supplied. She said, “the alcohol dries out your skin.” I yelled, “I’ll buy you all the lotion you need!”
We visited her during one of her hospitalizations, and during the visit the nurse came in and gave her an insulin shot. We ended up on one of our usual topics, her self-care with Diabetes. She was adamant she didn’t need the alcohol wipes. She said, “The nurse didn’t even use one with my insulin shot.”
I hit the roof! I told her, “She sure did! I sat here and watched her use it!”
Mr VOW added, “She would be fired for not using it.”
She re-used needles, until they broke.
~VOW
It’s John Legend.
I was way late to the John Legend party.
I got my first Shingrix Friday. I had a sore arm. I have to get RSV here shortly. Then Shingirx again in 2 months. Then I’ll be caught up for a bit.
Mine caught up with me today. I’ve felt crappy all day.
I just wanna be curled up in the fetal position and possibly die.
This ain’t no way to be alive.
Well, I worked all weekend, and went to my grandson’s football game Saturday. Hopefully, the shot won’t come, sneak up and kick my ass when I’m least expecting it. That’s why I waited on RSV for a short while.
I think it’s the RSV that did me in.
I’m having serious doubts as to whether I’ll ever do it again.
I dunno Beck, you should when it’s due again. RSV is damn serious buisness. I’m asthmatic and I will get it soon. You have medical issues that could make it deadly. You need to take care of yourself girl.