Administering COVID-19 Vaccines

Route: Intramuscular injection

Recommended site by age:

  • 6 months through 2 years: Vastus lateralis muscle in the anterolateral thigh
  • 3 years and older: Deltoid muscle in the upper arm*

Identify the appropriate injection site using anatomical landmarks

Administer the vaccine

Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle into the middle and thickest part of the muscle and inject all the vaccine.

* The vastus lateralis muscle in the anterolateral thigh may be used as an alternate site.

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Page last reviewed: February 2, 2024