Intramuscular (IM) injections can be given in several muscles, but the deltoid muscle is often used, particularly for vaccines.
Common IM Injection Sites
While several muscles can be used for IM injections, here are the most common:
- Deltoid: Located in the upper arm. According to the provided reference, the deltoid muscle is most typically used for vaccines. However, this site is not common for self-injection because its small muscle mass limits the volume of medication that can be injected (typically no more than 1 milliliter).
- Vastus Lateralis: Located on the outer thigh. This site is frequently used for infants and young children.
- Gluteus Medius: Located in the hip. Use with caution to avoid sciatic nerve injury.
