Flu Shot Injection Site: Does Depth Matter?

Question
I had a health professional give me the flu shot with a needle that was 5/8" below the deltoid muscle.  Will I still get the proper immunization because I read it shoud be 1" needle in the deltoid only?

Answer
Hi Michelle,

That's a false statement. It doesn't really matter which part of the body you give the flu shot as long as it penetrates a muscle... thus calling it an intramuscular injection. The deltoid is much less painful of an injection site than the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, or brachioradialis muscles. I even give it in the calves of children.

Regards,

John Thai, MD