Flu vaccine (Adm sub-q in deltoid area?)

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I had a flu vaccine administered in my deltoid Monday night at work. I'm pretty sure the nurse used a subq sized needle....I know it was a very small needle. I didn't question her because she's been a nurse for a few years and I figured she knew what she was doing. However, when the needle penetrated, it didn't hurt at all, but after she pushed the med....OUCH! I also saw some of the med leak out. Now I have a huge bump on my arm, it hasn't gone away. I put ice on it that night but it's not getting better. I'm of average size and don't have much fat on my arm.

Any thoughts? I know, I should have said something about such a small needle, but I'm a new nurse and I figured this experienced nurse knew what she was doing. :eek: Apparently not!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

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Somebody please tell me if you've ever had experience with this.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK we can't give medical advice but for a few years I have given flu jabs and the syringes came prepared with needle and it was a small needle. Some do have local reactions and can be sore but if you are worried about yourself you need to speak to your own doctor.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

I have seen nurses give the Flu shot SQ, personally I go with nothing smaller than a 1 inch needle, but I have seen them actually give it SQ in the fat on the tricep, not even near the deltoid, and these were older experienced nurses. But from what I understand, unless they have changed it recently, Flu vaccines are IM. If you are still having problems, contact your DR. Hopefully it will still be effective.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I had a flu vaccine administered in my deltoid Monday night at work. I'm pretty sure the nurse used a subq sized needle....I know it was a very small needle. I didn't question her because she's been a nurse for a few years and I figured she knew what she was doing. However, when the needle penetrated, it didn't hurt at all, but after she pushed the med....OUCH! I also saw some of the med leak out. Now I have a huge bump on my arm, it hasn't gone away. I put ice on it that night but it's not getting better. I'm of average size and don't have much fat on my arm.

Any thoughts? I know, I should have said something about such a small needle, but I'm a new nurse and I figured this experienced nurse knew what she was doing. :eek: Apparently not!

Here is a link to the CDC which explains everything you need to know http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaxadmin.htm (when I give IM's I push the med kind of slow to give it time to disperse-it hurts less that way)
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