At what angle should an intradermal injection be administered?

Intradermal injections are specifically designed to deliver medication into the dermis, which is just beneath the outer layer of skin. To achieve this, the needle must be inserted at a very shallow angle.

The correct angle for administering an intradermal injection is 15 degrees. This shallow angle helps ensure that the tip of the needle is placed just below the epidermis and into the dermis, allowing for effective delivery of the vaccine or medication with minimal discomfort.

Using a steeper angle, such as 30, 45, or 90 degrees, could result in the medication being injected too deeply into the subcutaneous tissue or muscle, rather than the intended dermal layer. This can compromise the effectiveness of the medication or vaccine and lead to increased discomfort for the patient. Therefore, a 15-degree angle is the best practice for intradermal injections.