Needle phobia: Just the Facts

Having a vaccination or blood test isn't easy for everyone.

It’s common to be anxious or apprehensive before an injection or blood test, with 1 in 10 people struggling with nervousness before a vaccine. You’re not alone. 

This nervous feeling could be for lots of reasons, which might include: 

• Worrying about pain or fainting 

• Being reminded of a previous bad experience 

• Feeling out of control of the situation 

• Feeling uncomfortable 

• A fear of needles 

If you feel nervous, anxious, worried or apprehensive – this is ok.  

The health professional on hand is there to support you throughout the process. Plus, they see thousands of people every year – so are very good at making these experiences as easy and comfortable as possible. 

Some things you can do to make a vaccination or blood test easier for yourself include: 

• Wearing a short sleeve top if possible, this will make things easier for the nurse and help to speed things up. 

• Having a healthy breakfast and lunch whilst staying hydrated throughout the day with non-sugary drinks will help you to feel better. You can bring a drink or snack with you for afterwards. 

• If you wish, letting staff know how you feel so you can be seen earlier in the day might help to ease worrying. Sometimes having to wait for a vaccination or blood test can make it seem worse than it is. 

• You can request to have a familiar adult or friend sit with you if you wish. 

• Think of things that help you to relax. This could be doing breathing exercises, counting to 100 backwards or holding a stress ball (the nurses might have these on their tables). The nurses will also let you listen to music or watch a video on your phone or tablet if this will help you. 

• Remember that the procedure is very quick, and that vaccinations and blood tests exist to protect your health – not to harm you. 

Frequently asked questions about needles

Here are some frequently asked questions about needles that might put your mind at rest: 

Will it hurt?

We all feel pain differently, but vaccinations and blood tests are not unbearably painful. Most people will only feel a sharp scratch, especially if they keep their arms as still as possible. 

How big is the needle?

Needles used for vaccinations are very small and thin. In fact, they’re the same sized needles used for vaccinating small babies. 

Needles used for blood tests are slightly larger, but only so they can collect blood as quickly as possible and make the procedure easier and faster for you. 

How long will it take?

Vaccinations are very quick and will be over in 10 seconds, lots of people don’t even realise they’ve had the vaccine. 

Blood tests can take a little longer, but will only take a few minutes maximum. 

The nurses will distract you by chatting, or you can use a phone or tablet if you wish. 

What will happen on the day? 

Rest assured that the vaccination or blood test will be over as quickly as possible and the experienced nurses are on hand to make it as easy as they can. They might try and distract you by talking to you about your day or your favourite things. 

After the vaccine or blood test, you will be given some advice about what to do if you experience any side effects. Side effects are usually mild and may include things like a sore arm or a mild headache. You might be given some cotton wool or a small plaster to cover the area on your arm. 

You can read more about school vaccinations here or read our information on blood tests here.

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