An intramuscular vaccine needs to be administered in an appropriate site using a needle long enough to go through any subcutaneous fat yet not too long to go further than needed.
Site of Administration
Age of the Patient
anterolateral thigh
< 19 years
deltoid muscle
> 12 months
Site
Age of the Patient
Sex and Weight
Needle Length
anterolateral thigh
< 1 month
16 mm
1 to 12 months
25 mm
1 to 2 years
25 to 32 mm
3 to 18 years
25 to 32 mm
deltoid muscle
1 to 2 years
16 to 25 mm
3 to 18 years
16 to 25 mm
>= 19 years
< 60 kg
16 to 25 mm
>= 19 years
female 60-90 kg
25 to 38 mm
>= 19 years
female > 90 kg
38 mm
>= 19 years
male 60-118 kg
25 to 38 mm
>= 19 years
male > 118 kg
38 mm
where:
• A shorter needle can be used if there is little subcutaneous fat.
• A longer needle can be used if there is a lot of subcutaneous fat.
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