What if I am afraid of needles?

Most vaccines are administered by injection, except for the rotavirus vaccine and 1 type of flu vaccine. The use of needles can cause stress and anxiety for some people. Below are some tips you can use to reduce the stress, anxiety and discomfort associated with getting vaccines:

  • Tell your health care provider that you are anxious about getting poked by a needle.
  • Sit upright. This will help to promote a sense of control.
    • If you have a history of fainting when getting vaccines, make sure to tell your health care provider. Lying down could be offered as one option to reduce the risks associated with fainting.
  • Take deeps breaths. This well help calm you down.
  • Relax your arm. It may help to dangle your arm beside you to ensure the muscle is relaxed.
  • Distract yourself to take your attention away from the injection. Listen to music, watch videos, read, or talk to your health care provider or someone else.
  • You can buy topical anesthetics that can help reduce immunization pain at a pharmacy without prescription. These will need to be applied before your appointment.

There is no benefit to taking over-the-counter pain medication before your appointment. If you do have pain after the vaccination, you can take pain medication such as Acetaminophen to help decrease pain, muscle aches, or fever.

What if I am afraid of needles?

Most vaccines are administered by injection, except for the rotavirus vaccine and 1 type of flu vaccine. The use of needles can cause stress and anxiety for some people. Below are some tips you can use to reduce the stress, anxiety and discomfort associated with getting vaccines:

  • Tell your health care provider that you are anxious about getting poked by a needle.
  • Sit upright. This will help to promote a sense of control.
    • If you have a history of fainting when getting vaccines, make sure to tell your health care provider. Lying down could be offered as one option to reduce the risks associated with fainting.
  • Take deeps breaths. This well help calm you down.
  • Relax your arm. It may help to dangle your arm beside you to ensure the muscle is relaxed.
  • Distract yourself to take your attention away from the injection. Listen to music, watch videos, read, or talk to your health care provider or someone else.
  • You can buy topical anesthetics that can help reduce immunization pain at a pharmacy without prescription. These will need to be applied before your appointment.

There is no benefit to taking over-the-counter pain medication before your appointment. If you do have pain after the vaccination, you can take pain medication such as Acetaminophen to help decrease pain, muscle aches, or fever.