needle too short for flu vaccine?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a new nurse. I had a really busy day at work. While I was in the middle of doing so many things I think I used the wrong needle to give a flu vaccine. Ugh why did I do it!? I realized afterward that I used the 23 guage 1 inch needle I believe. I gave the flu vaccine with 23 gauge 1 inch needle to a husband and wife. /we use this needle on kids usually. The husband barely had any meat on his bones while the wife easily had atleast 1-2 inches of fat on her arms. im freaking out. what will happen to them if the needle is too short?? is this oK? or will there be serious issues??

chill kiddo. Nothing is going to happen to them.

I regularly give IMs to adults with a 1 inch needle, particularly in people who don't have a lot of padding, particularly when using the deltoid site. There shouldn't be a problem.

There is a commercial on tv advertising the flu shot with a short needle... Can't recall the name though.

a 5/8" needle can even be used on many people for a deltoid.

Specializes in ER, ICU.

If it's in her arm it will be absorbed and metabolized.

Specializes in retired LTC.

Sounded like an OK needle size for them.

Specializes in Home Health/PD.

I looked it up on the CDC website today and they recommend a 1 to 1.5 inch needle in adults but said a 5/8 inch could be used. So you are good!.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I always use 23g 1inch needles for flu and pneumonia vaccines.

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