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,14 Diggle and Deeks,32, Diggle et al,34 Poland et al,36 Cook et al40 Page history Last updated 2 May 2025 Last reviewed 2 May 2025 Related chapters Administration of vaccines Is there anything wrong with this page?
