Flu Vaccine administration error?

[JLGtravel, BSN]

I am so embarrassed to ask this question but I don't have anyone to really talk to and gain insight about my experience yesterday. If you have the time please comment. 
 It was the end of the day and I hadn't eaten or really had a break all day. My coworker asked me to administer her flu vaccine. I said no at first but reluctantly agreed. I haven't given a vaccine in years. My co worker is very thin and active. She weighs less than 120lbs. She has some definition with muscle but really no fat. I had available a 25 1 1/2 guage needle. I measured two finger widths from the top and pinched the skin and injected the needle into the skin. I released my hand that was pinching the skin and began to inject medication. Because of the coworkers size I did not have needle all the way in. While I was pushing plunger I noticed swelling under skin so I advanced a little more and finished the vaccine. There was a hardened lump after administration. That did dissipate slightly as we were leaving. I feel so embarrassed did I royally mess up this vaccine administration? Should I reach out more? I did that evening and she said she was doing fine. But I feel like she wouldn't tell me otherwise. I'm afraid I gave the vaccine in the fatty tissue. But am surprised because I felt I went in far enough. But the reaction during and after has me thinking otherwise. 

[bluescoop, BSN, RN]

I'm pretty sure your coworker is still protected. It's just a flu shot. Next time don't pinch the skin when giving IM injection though. Pinching skin is for subcutaneous injections, but for IM it's not best practice. If you actually pinched her skin it probably got absorbed in her fatty tissue and that's probably why there was a hard lump, but that's okay. BTW I'm the primary vaccine coordinator at my job. 

[JLGtravel, BSN]

Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to read my post! I've checked in on her and she said there is no longer a knot, just redness. She seems to be doing OK. And I clearly need some practice. 

[abbnurse]

I recently received my flu and Covid injections at a local pharmacy.  The pharmacist pinched my skin both times.  We were busy chatting, and I didn't think much of it.   

  I had a hard lump (about the size of a pea) in the arm where she injected the flu vaccine.  It slowly dissipated over the next two days.  This was not the first time I had the little lump under the skin, as I've received many, many flu vaccines!  

I have administered hundreds of flu shots in my 33 years of nursing, and as bluescoop said, it's OK.    🙂 

Best wishes.   

 

   

[Ruth E. Raleigh]

Maybe a one-inch needle only for a thin person.  Sounds like the medication was absorbed either subcutaneously or IM.  Still should be okay.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

You can actually pinch the skin if it is a smaller person, and your needle is on the longer side for them.