Why did my nurse give me my H1N1 vaccine in the buttocks instead of my arm?

Answer 1

The typical site is in the muscle in the upper arm for adults, but really any larger muscle works, and the gluteus maximus muscle in the buttocks is as good or better than the upper arm.

If you get tenderness at the site of the injection, it may be uncomfortable sitting on certain surfaces or in some positions, but the arm has disadvantages as the site too, like when you have soreness and need to move and use your arms, or if something or someone bumps into your arm in a crowded place. They often use the arm since it can be done in a less private setting. But if you were in the doctor's office that is not an issue so that might be why they chose the buttocks. Walking will be good to help work out the soreness if you do get some.

For young children the typical place is their lateral thigh muscle, older children will get them in the arm, buttocks or thigh as well.