Administering flu/pneumonia vaccines

[Dempather]

On my floor, I've only administered a handful of flu or pneumonia vaccines. I know pneumonia is IM, I think flu is too.. however, when I was at the MD yesterday to receive my flu shot, I received it in my left arm with a #25 gauge needle... isn't that SC(?) .. while my blood was drawn with a #21 .

I personally hate IMs.. ! For example, Haldol. Let's find our most AGITATED patient, and give em' the most painful shot we can find. At least that's how it feels to me.

Curious from you guys - what gauge to you use on what person for flu/pneu vaccines? I've heard people tell me that inject in arms, legs, and use a variety, depending on size of people (we're talking general adult population, not peds). But my understanding is that they're both IM, yes?

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

We give each other our flu shots on the unit, my colleague came over to give me mine, she had a 1.5" 21g needle on it !! I said whoa (not really) your'e not sticking THAT THING in me!!!!!!!!! Well, she says, it says here in the insert to use a 1" or larger needle,now granted we don't carry 1" needles anymore-haven't in years,but GOOD GAWD,I'm not a "big" person to be needin' that thing, I made her use a 25g 5/8 b/c really that's all we have other than insulin syringes. She was really hesitant since the package insert says..... I said that's ok, I'll take my chances it'll get into the muscle...