Covid Vaccine

[mariaconcetta]

I’m giving Covid vaccines in our community. I’m looking for tips on deltoid IM injections from other nurses. Many needle phobic people I want to give the least painful shot as possible. Also many frail people with small arms. 

[curious nature, ADN, RN]

As a current vaccine nurse with a large national corporation giving thousands daily at our mega-site, I have pt relax arm, dangle it, find the acromion and measure down to belly of the deltoid muscle, and insert needle at 90 degree angle quickly, smoothly, but not in a darting, stabbing fashion.  Most patients state they cannot feel it or only slightly, particularly with the first dose.  I also reassure them, and use relaxation suggestions, such as "on a beach, wind blowing softly, birds in the sky, sounds of waves...."  I also talk w/ pt about hydration, possible side-effects and address any concerns.  The tiny arms are difficult, and we cannot always provide smaller needles, as we get what we get, and the vaccine is strictly controlled, whereby we have no access to new syringes, only the ones offered at that moment.  I hope this is helpful.