When medicine cannot be given by mouth, it may need to be given to a child by an injection or shot. A child of any age should be allowed to say they don't like the shot, and may be told it is OK to cry or say "ouch."

Places where you can give an IM injection:

Middle of Thigh

Upper Arm

How to Give an Injection:

1. Wash and dry your hands.

2. Set up your supplies. Choose a place that is clean, well lit, and flat, like a table.

3. Clean the skin around the injection area with an alcohol swab or cotton ball soaked with alcohol or betadine. If you are not using a pre-filled syringe, make sure the syringe has the right amount of medicine and no air bubbles.

4. Remove the needle cap by pulling it straight off the syringe. Throw the cap away.

5. Hold the syringe like a dart in your writing hand.

6. Quickly insert the needle at a 90-degree angle, and slowly press the plunger with your thumb until the syringe is empty.

7. Pull the needle straight out at the same angle that it went in. Then, using gauze or a cotton ball, apply gentle pressure to the injection site for several seconds. Next, put a bandage over the area where you just gave the injection.

8. Place the used syringe in a sharps collector or approved County Public Health Department container. Call your Public Health Department for more information.