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Kids Health Info

Vaccination and needle phobia

  • Key points

    • It is very common for children to be scared of needles. If your child’s fear of needles is so distressing that it causes ongoing anxiety and leads them to avoid vaccinations, this is called ‘needle phobia.’
    • If your child has needle phobia, be supportive and encourage them to be brave.
    • Try distracting your child to take their mind off the needle, such as singing or doing breathing exercises together.
    • If your child fears the pain of a needle, you could try a local anaesthetic cream to numb the top layer of their skin.
    • You may want to speak to a doctor or nurse about your child’s worries or take them to a health professional with experience in childhood vaccination.
    • If you have tried everything to get your child vaccinated safely, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) runs a service for children with an extreme fear of needles.

    Why are some children scared of needles?

    It is very common for children to fear needles. Some of the most common reasons why a child may be scared of needles are:

    • Fear of the pain from a needle
    • Past bad experiences with a needle or other medical procedures
    • Not understanding what is going to happen or why
    • Fear of a foreign object entering their body.

    For some children, teens and even adults, this fear of needles can become so intense and distressing that it causes ongoing anxiety and leads them to avoid important vaccinations that protect them from diseases. This is called ‘needle phobia.’

    Signs of needle phobia

    If your child has a needle phobia, before getting a needle, they may:

    • scream
    • become very upset
    • try to run away
    • find it hard to stay still
    • constantly worry about it
    • refuse to go to the vaccination appointment.

    Helping your child with needle phobia

    Tips to remember

    • Needle phobia is real, and it is okay for your child to be afraid.
    • Try to make vaccinations a good experience for your child by staying positive and encouraging them to be brave.
    • Do not criticise your child for being scared.
    • Explain why vaccines are important in words your child understands. For example, you could tell them a vaccine is an invisible shield like a superhero has to protect them, their family, and friends.
    • Crying is a normal response to fear. If your child cries, comfort and praise them for facing their fears.
    • Some children fear the loss of control; allow them to play the key role in the pre-planning process. Ask them how they would like to do it.
    • If your child is very afraid of needles, speak to a doctor or nurse about your child's worries. You could also take your child to a health professional with experience in childhood vaccinations.
    • Avoid large vaccination centres, as the noise and crowd may only increase your child's anxiety. Your child will be more comfortable in a quieter setting, like a local medical clinic.

    Ways to support your child before, during and after a vaccine

    Before the vaccine appointment

    • Avoid calling the vaccine a needle. Instead, call it a vaccine or explain that it is medicine that goes into the arm.
    • Try not to talk too much about vaccines before your child’s appointment. Tell your child what will happen so they can prepare, but do not go into too much detail.
    • Offer your child a reward after the vaccine, such as stickers, a new book or a treat.
    • Make a plan with a health professional and consider involving older children in the planning process, before their appointment. It is a good idea to complete any pre-vaccination checklists and discuss any side effects over the phone or when your child is not in the room. Talking about these things in front of your child may make them more scared.

    During the vaccine appointment

    • If possible, limit your child's time in a waiting room before their appointment.
    • Ask the health professional not to show your child the needle or call it a needle.
    • Take your time at the appointment – there is no need to rush.
    • Stay calm so your child can see you are not scared.
    • Try distractions to take your child’s mind off the vaccine, like bubbles, videos or breathing exercises.
    • Do not forcibly hold down your child for the vaccine; this can cause injuries, failed vaccination attempts and psychological trauma.
    • Your child may need a break if they get too upset. Take them for a walk to calm down, or make an appointment for another day.
    • It is best to stop the appointment after two failed attempts and contact a specialist childhood vaccine provider for advice.

    After the vaccine appointment

    • Give your child the agreed reward for being brave.
    • Praise them for how they behaved during their vaccination.
    • If the appointment did not go well, speak with your child about how they would like to approach it next time, and remind them the importance of vaccination.

    Best ways to manage needle phobia

    Distractions

    The best distractions for your child will depend on their age and interests. Some examples are:

    • Blowing bubbles and counting
    • Interactive books
    • Musical toys
    • Breathing exercises
    • Singing
    • A tablet or phone with their favourite song or TV show playing
    • Interactive games such as ‘I Spy’
    • Age-specific discussions, such as talking about a favourite superhero or movie star.

    Local anaesthetic (numbing) creams

    A local anaesthetic cream numbs the top layer of skin and helps reduce the sting from needles. You can buy numbing creams from pharmacies without a prescription. Most vaccines go into the upper arm muscle, just below the shoulder (deltoid). It is best to apply the cream 40 minutes before vaccination. Ice on the arm for 10 to 20 seconds right before the vaccine will also help to numb the skin.

    Sedation

    When you have tried everything else, you may want to think about sedation. This is when a health professional gives your child medicine like nitrous oxide – also known as ‘happy gas’ – to make them feel relaxed. Sedation is the only way to vaccinate some children without making it a traumatic experience.

    This service is available at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) for children with an extreme fear of needles. Please contact the Immunisation Service for more information.

    Common questions about needle phobia

    My child is very anxious about needles. What is the best way to get them vaccinated?

    If you know your child is very scared of needles, it may be best to go straight to a health professional with experience in childhood vaccination. You can also prepare before the vaccine appointment by buying numbing cream and getting distractions ready. Try not to talk too much with your child about their vaccine appointments, but make sure you tell them when the appointments are booked for so they can prepare.

    My child has a significant intellectual disability, and I am worried they may hurt themselves or a health professional. What can I do?

    Some health services offer a custom approach to childhood vaccination; it is best to talk about your child’s needs with a health professional. However, many children with neurodevelopmental disabilities may need to be sedated to ensure everyone involved is safe. Contact the RCH Immunisation Service for more information – your child will need a doctor’s referral and appointment for sedation.

    My child has sensory needs. How should I approach vaccination?

    If your child has sensory sensitivities, avoid large vaccination centres – they can be loud and crowded. A quieter setting, like a local medical clinic, will be more comfortable. You could also make a plan with a health professional to limit time in the waiting room and talking before the vaccine. Ensuring your child cannot see the needle is a good idea.

    Can I bring my child to The Royal Children’s Hospital for vaccinations?

    The RCH Immunisation Centre specialises in vaccinating children with needle phobia and offers all childhood and adolescent vaccines, as well as the flu vaccine and meningococcal B. The Centre is the ground floor of The Royal Children’s Hospital. If your child has needle phobia or needs a custom vaccination plan, call the Centre on 1300 882 924 (Option 2). Bookings are required.

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    Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Immunisation service. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed April 2025

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.