You are here Home Resources Handbook tables Handbook tables Table. Recommended needle size, length and angle for administering vaccines Listen Print Share Twitter Facebook Email Age or size of person to be vaccinated Needle type Angle of needle insertion Infant, child or adult for intramuscular vaccines 22–25 gauge, 25 mm long 90° to skin plane Preterm infant (<37 weeks gestation) up to 2 months of age, and/or very small infant 23–25 gauge, 16 mm long 90° to skin plane Very large or obese person 22–25 gauge, 38 mm long 90° to skin plane Subcutaneous injection in all people 25–27 gauge, 16 mm long 45° to skin plane Intradermal injection in all people 26–27 gauge, 10 mm long 5-15° to skin plane Sources: Kroger et al,16 Diggle and Deeks,33, Diggle et al,35 Poland et al,37 Cook et al41 Related chapters Administration of vaccines Page history Last updated 30 June 2023 Last reviewed 30 June 2023 Is there anything wrong with this page? Help us improve the Australian Immunisation Handbook What you were doing? (required) What went wrong? (required) Leave this field blank
