Vaccinations and how to overcome a fear of needles
24 January 2025
NHS staff who haven't yet received their vaccines are being reminded to get vaccinated ahead of 31 January, when the free Covid immunisations come to an end.
Una Hobson, Immunisation matron at SPFT, is making another call for staff to book their vaccines. With vaccine uptake rates falling this year, she has written a blog reassuring anyone who may be anxious about needles.
We often meet people in clinic who feel anxious about needles.
You might experience heart racing, nausea, panic, or a sudden drop in blood pressure that leads to fainting. These are real, involuntary, intense physical reactions. We really want to support you and offer you the best possible care. Here are some tips to help:
Be Prepared
Please make sure you eat and drink before your vaccination. If you have a history of fainting or feeling dizzy, please tell the person vaccinating you.
Bring a friend
The presence of a partner, trusted friend, or family member can provide valuable support. Ask a friend or family member to help with scheduling, driving you to and from the appointment, and speaking up on your behalf at the appointment.
Shrink your worry
Shrink the available space for worry by booking your appointment for a nearby date. Most of needle anxiety lies in the anticipation of the event. If the appointment is booked for a date soon approaching, you will have less time to worry. Contact us directly and we will look to arrange this with you and tell us what you need and together we will make a plan that works for you.
Harness the power of distraction
Focus on things other than the needle: a spot on the floor, photos or videos on your phone, conversation, or music (you can bring your own headphones).
Breathe
Try breathing techniques to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for generating rest and calm.
Try box breathing exercise, which is used by navy seals to manage high-stress situations. Box breathing is simple: inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, repeat. Practice in the days leading up to your vaccination, as well as at your appointment itself.
Speak up
Tell your vaccinator that you find this a difficult experience and let them know what works best for you. Your vaccinator will have lots of strategies to help you through. We will listen to you and work together in a way that suits you.
Don’t watch
It’s typically not helpful to watch all of the preparation for the needle or closely watch the needle itself. Please tell us before you come into the room and we will make sure there are no needles in sight.
Focus on the benefits
Instead of focusing on the short-term distress, recognise the positive effects that last much longer. Focus on the benefits of overcoming your needle anxiety and giving yourself and others access to the life-saving properties of vaccination.
Build comfort through exposure
Deliberately exposing yourself to your fears—in this case, needles—gives you mastery over them. Over time with exposure, you will require less of the comfort measures above. Exposure therapy might begin with viewing pictures or videos of needles and progress to watching someone else get a shot. Over time your body learns, “I’m in control and I can survive this.” Please do contact us as we have a range of resources and exercises that will help.
Contact us
Do please contact us to talk through any concerns you may have, we really want to offer you the very best care. Email spft.
If you have not had your Flu or Covid vaccinations this year - please consider doing so.
We are able to offer Covid boosters until 31 January and flu vaccines until Friday 28 March.
Please book here.