Selecting the proper needle length when vaccinating your patients is critical – vaccine must reach the desired tissue site for optimal immune response to occur. To determine the proper needle length to use in each situation, you must consider the following factors:
Below is a summary of the guidance for choosing the proper needle length for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections based on CDC�s General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization (Vaccine Administration). Show FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND TEENS Intramuscular (IM) injections: Injection site and needle size
Subcutaneous (Subcut) injections: Injection site and needle size
FOR ADULTS Intramuscular (IM) injections The deltoid muscle is most often used as the site for IM injections in adults. Needle length is usually 1"–1�", 22–25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle may be needed depending on the patient's weight. Note: An alternate site for IM injection in adults is the anterolateral thigh muscle. The needle length and gauge are the same as when the deltoid muscle is used, i.e., 1"�1�" length, 22�25 gauge. You should choose needle length based on the weight of your adult patients, as follows:
Subcutaneous (Subcut) injections
Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, and Needle Size How to Administer Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Vaccine Injections How to Administer Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Vaccine Injections to Adults IAC�s Handouts: Administering Vaccines gateway page IAC�s Clinic Tools: Administering Vaccines gateway page CDC Vaccine Administration gateway page CDC Vaccine Administration Resource Library with instructive videos on vaccine administration CDC Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (�The Pink Book"), Chapter 6, Vaccine Administration: Route and Site
What needles for IM injections?Use a 22- to 25-gauge needle. Use the correct needle length based on the patient's gender and weight. For adults, use a 1- to 1.5-inch needle.
What needle gauge is most appropriate for ID injections?Equipment used for ID injections is a tuberculin syringe calibrated in tenths and hundredths of a millilitre, and a 1/4 to 1/2 in., 26 or 27 gauge needle. The dosage of an ID injection is usually under 0.5 ml.
Which of the following is the most appropriate site for intramuscular injections in infants?The anterolateral thigh is the preferred site for IM injection in infants under 12 months of age. Medications are injected into the bulkiest part of the vastus lateralis thigh muscle, which is the junction of the upper and middle thirds of this muscle.
Where are intramuscular injections administered?Intramuscular injections are often given in the following areas:. Deltoid muscle of the arm. The deltoid muscle is the site most typically used for vaccines. ... . Vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh. ... . Ventrogluteal muscle of the hip. ... . Dorsogluteal muscles of the buttocks.. |