Needle Selection and Administration Technique for Boostrix (Tdap) 0.5ml

Proper Administration Technique

For administering a 0.5ml dose of Boostrix (Tdap vaccine), use a 1-1½ inch, 22-25 gauge needle for intramuscular injection in adults and adolescents, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1
Boostrix (Tdap) should be administered as an intramuscular (IM) injection of 0.5ml, according to the CDC and the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2, 3
For adults and older children, the deltoid muscle is the preferred injection site, as recommended by the CDC 4, 5
For infants and younger children, the anterolateral thigh is the recommended site, as recommended by the CDC 4, 5

Adults and adolescents (≥12 years) should use a 1-1½ inch, 22-25 gauge needle for deltoid muscle injection, as recommended by the CDC 1, 5
Toddlers and older children should use a 7/8 to 1¼ inch, 22-25 gauge needle based on muscle size, as recommended by the CDC 1
Infants (<12 months) should use a 7/8-1 inch, 22-25 gauge needle for anterolateral thigh injection, as recommended by the CDC 1, 5

Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle for intramuscular injections, as recommended by the CDC 1
The buttock should not be used for vaccine administration due to potential risk of sciatic nerve injury and decreased vaccine efficacy, as warned by the CDC 1, 6

Disposable needles and syringes should be used to minimize risk of contamination, as recommended by the CDC 1, 6
A separate needle and syringe should be used for each injection, as recommended by the CDC 1, 6
Hands should be washed before administering vaccines, as recommended by the CDC 6
Gloves are not required when administering vaccinations unless the vaccinator may come into contact with potentially infectious body fluids or has open lesions on their hands, as recommended by the CDC 1, 6
Discard needles and syringes in labeled, puncture-proof containers to prevent inadvertent needle-stick injury, as recommended by the CDC 1, 6