TDaP Vaccines

[PinkNBlue, BSN, RN]

Was curious if you all either knew the reasoning or could point me in the right direction to find the reason; I was going to give a TDaP vaccine to a patient yesterday in clinical. In the past, I've given the vaccine in the deltoid. This particular patient said her arms were sore and she'd prefer it somewhere besides the arms. My instructor thought we would be able to administer it in the vastus lateralis rather than the deltoid and I looked it up in the drug book on my phone and it didn't say not to. I drew up the med and did my second check to which I saw on the MAR it said *Administer in the deltoid muscle only* and pointed it out to my instructor. I called pharmacy and asked and they said they've never heard of the TDaP being given anywhere but the deltoid and it's probably because that's where it's most effective for adults. Is it because the deltoid is a smaller muscle compared to the VL? Probably an obvious answer but it's Friday and my brain is fried. :) Just wanted some thoughts. Thanks!

[anonymousstudent]

It may have had something to do with your patient. I gave this IM last clinical and there was no specification on the site. The patient chose to have it in her arm, but I offered her VL and GM.