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.
Page last reviewed:
February 2, 2024