What size needle is needed to administer an intramuscular flu shot to a child
Lily Fisher
Published Mar 09, 2026
Intramuscular injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to the skin, preferably into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh or the deltoid muscle of the upper arm, depending on the age of the patient (Table 6-2). The needle gauge for intramuscular injection is 22-25 gauge.
What size needle do you use when performing an IM injection on a child?
Use a 22- to 25-gauge needle. Your baby’s doctor may give you a longer needle depending on the size of your child. The needle must be long enough so that it will reach deep into the muscle. It should reach past the tissue just above the muscle, which is the subcutaneous (SC) tissue.
How big is the flu shot needle for kids?
Intramuscular (IM) injections Needle length is usually 1″–1½”, 22–25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle may be needed depending on the patient’s weight.
How do you give an IM injection to a child?
- Gently push on the plunger until all the medicine is injected.
- Take the needle and syringe out. …
- Gently massage the injection site.
What size needle is used for influenza vaccine?
Influenza vaccines are not highly viscous, so a fine-gauge (22- to 25-gauge) needle can be used. Use a ⅝- to 1-inch needle for men and women who weigh less than 130 pounds (60 kg). Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle and stretch the skin flat between thumb and forefinger.
Is a 22 gauge needle bigger than 25?
IV needles are sized by gauges, and the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the needle will be. … Nevertheless, 18, 20, and 22 gauge is the size you’ll encounter most frequently in most areas of nursing.
Can you use an 18 gauge needle for IM injection?
What do I need for an IM injection? To give yourself an IM injection, you will need: • Medication in a vial • 1 disposable syringe • 2 needles • 1 18 or 20 gauge needle to draw up medication • 1 22 or 23 gauge, 1 ½” needle for the injection • Note: the needle size is described in units called gauge numbers.
Where do you give a child an IM injection?
The injection site will be below the bone and above the axillary fold/armpit.Do you pinch skin for intramuscular injection?
Insert needle at an 45o angle to the skin. Pinch up on SQ tissue to prevent injecting into muscle.
What type of needle is used for intramuscular injections?Intramuscular (IM) injections The deltoid muscle is most often used as the site for IM injections in adults. Needle length is usually 1″–1½”, 22–25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle may be needed depending on the patient’s weight.
Article first time published onWhen use a 16mm needle?
For intramuscular injections in infants, children and adults, therefore, a 25mm 23G (blue) or 25mm 25G (orange) needle should be used. Only in pre-term or very small infants is a 16mm needle suitable for IM injection.
Is the flu shot IM or SQ?
Typically, the regular seasonal flu shot is given intramuscularly (IM), meaning it’s injected into the muscle. However, a subcutaneous (SQ) version of the shot has become available for the 2011 to 2012 flu season. It’s given with a smaller needle and is injected into the skin.
How do you administer a flu shot in the deltoid?
Injection site Give in the central and thickest portion of the deltoid muscle – above the level of the armpit and approximately 2–3 fingerbreadths (~2″) below the acromion process. See the diagram. To avoid causing an injury, do not inject too high (near the acromion process) or too low.
How do you give a flu shot to a child?
Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4) 3 years and older 0.5 mL Intramuscular (IM) Administer vaccine in deltoid muscle or, alternatively, in anterolateral thigh muscle. Recombinant influ- enza vaccine (RIV4) 18 years and older 0.5 mL Intramuscular (IM) Administer vaccine in deltoid muscle.
How big is an 18 gauge needle?
Gauge NumberNeedle Nominal O.D. (mm)Needle Dead Volume (µL/25.4 mm)19 gauge needle1.0679.389 µL/25.4 mm18 gauge needle1.2714.011 µL/25.4 mm17 gauge needle1.47322.715 µL/25.4 mm16 gauge needle1.65128.444 µL/25.4 mm
What are 23 gauge needles used for?
23 Gauge Needles 23g needles, also known as butterflies, are used when a person’s vein is much narrower than average.
What is a 22 gauge needle used for?
The needle size is important for precise injection. A 22-gauge 3.8-cm (1.5 in.) needle is used for superficial muscles. When capillary fragility with bleeding is a concern, a thinner 25-gauge needle may be preferred.
What is the smallest gauge needle for injections?
The needle required is small and short—typically one-half to five-eighths of an inch long with a gauge of 25 to 30. Intramuscular injections go directly into a muscle.
What is a 20 gauge needle used for?
These are regular-walled medical point needles. They are for intramuscular, subcutaneous, and other injections and are available in a wide range of gauges and lengths. They have an oversized chrome plated luer lock hub.
What happens if you give IM injection wrong?
“A vaccine is an immunologically sensitive substance, and if you were to receive an injection too high – in the wrong place – you could get pain, swelling and reduced range of motion in that area,” says Tom Shimabukuro, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization safety office.
What is the maximum volume for intramuscular injection pediatric?
The maximum volume should not exceed 1 mL. If the skin is stretched flat, a 1/2 inch needle is sufficient.
Why are intramuscular injections given at a 90 degree angle?
Overwhelmingly the evidence supports a 90 degree angle of needle insertion for intramuscular injection as being that most effective in terms of patient comfort, safety and efficacy of vaccine.
Why is the deltoid muscle used for intramuscular injection?
Most vaccines should be given via the intramuscular route into the deltoid or the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. This optimises the immunogenicity of the vaccine and minimises adverse reactions at the injection site.
What is the maximum volume to administer an intramuscular injection?
Overall, 5 mL has been cited for adults as the maximum volume for a single IM injection, with lower maximums proposed for adult patients with less-developed or small muscle mass. Once administered exclusively by physicians, IM injections became a primary-nurse responsibility during the 1960s.
How big is a 21 gauge needle?
Needle gaugeOuter diameter (inches)Inner diameter (mm)190.0420.686200.035750.603210.032250.514220.028250.413
What size needles are used for vaccinations?
Most adolescents and adults will require a 1- to 1.5-inch (25–38 mm) needle to ensure intramuscular administration.
What size are US 8 knitting needles?
Metric SizesUK SizesUS Sizes4.0 mm864.5 mm775.0 mm685.5 mm59
Is flu vaccine given intramuscular?
“Almost all inactivated vaccines [including most variants of the flu shot] are administered by the intramuscular route.
Do you aspirate im injections?
Aspiration is most commonly performed during an intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection, and is meant to ensure that the needle tip is located at the desired site, and has not accidentally punctured a blood vessel.