How to Prepare for Travel Vaccinations with a Fear of Needles

Dr Ravi Gowda
Apr 29
5 min read

Don’t like travel jabs? Who does? But is it common? Or does it only affect a few unfortunate souls?

Needle phobia is, by its very nature, difficult to ascertain how common it is. Many people who have an intense fear of injections avoid medical settings so the true extent of the problem is not clear. However, estimates range from 3.5% in men and 4.9% in women. So potentially a large proportion of the population are affected.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – DSM 5 classifies needle phobia as a blood-injection-injury phobia. This is specifically a fear of needles in the context of medical settings and is also known as trypanophobia).

Travel vaccinations are a crucial part of preparing for international travel, but for many, the thought of getting a vaccination can cause significant anxiety linked to a fear of needles.

Understanding the Fear of Needles:

For some, the thought of travel vaccinations (or any needle for that matter) can bring on intense anxiety and fear. So much so that they avoid any encounters with the medical profession and therefore risk potential harm to their health.

If you have a needle phobia, you may fall into two categories:

You may belong to the 75% who have a fear of injections and tend to faint. Studies and experiments indicate that you may be more susceptible to fainting as a general rule. You may have ( in medical jargon) an exaggerated ‘vaso-vagal’ response. So it’s not just a case of you being more anxious.
The remaining 25% of individuals have intense anxiety with needles but don’t usually faint. This can be so extreme as to cause severe physical symptoms leading to panic attacks.

If you belong to the second category of needle phobia, this may be as a result of classical conditioning. For example, you may have had a bad experience in childhood and as a result you associate a doctor in a medical setting and injections, with pain and fear. This type of fear of injections may also be associated with other phobias and anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

The Importance of Travel Vaccinations:

Travel vaccinations are a vital part of your holiday preparation. They're important in preventing serious travel associated infections such as typhoid, hepatitis A and yellow fever. As a travel clinic, we therefore, play a significant role in both your personal health and general public safety.

The dilemma, of course, is how can we overcome needle phobia ? What strategies can we employ so that you can safely receive your intended travel vaccinations?

Communication with Healthcare Providers:

If you are afraid of needles, then the best thing to do is let the friendly team at our travel clinic in Coventry know before your appointment. We’re very used to accommodating individuals with needle phobia - we know how common it is, and it’s absolutely ok.

Once we know, as travel doctors, we can plan ahead and try to make the experience as stress free as possible. We can arrange a pre-visit so that you can see our clinic set up and the calming environment we aspire to create. This will help you visualise what you’ll go through. Our travel clinic can also discuss other options that can make you feel more comfortable such as using numbing creams or possibly using smaller needles. We’ll even extend your appointment time so that you don’t feel rushed in any way.

Preparing for Your Vaccination Appointment:

Preparation techniques - There are a number of ways that can help you prepare for your travel clinic appointment. Deep breathing relaxation techniques such as box breathing, mindfulness apps and meditation can all help relieve the stress and anxiety. Researchers have also found that gradual exposure to your fears and anxieties via a virtual reality app can conquer your fears of needle phobia

Reframing the experience – Focusing on the long-term health benefits and protection from illness can help you change the way you perceive situation and therefore your thoughts and behaviours to a more positive and balanced outlook.
Seeking emotional support – Think about talking and discussing your fears with a loved one or alternatively your travel doctor during a travel consultation before the vaccination appointment.

Practical Tips for Managing Needle Anxiety:
- Bring a stress-relief item (e.g., stress ball, fidget spinner). Children often bring their favourite toys to our travel clinic. We even keep a stress ball if you need one!
- Practice relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing techniques, relaxation apps). You can put into practice breathing techniques such as box breathing while you’re having your travel vaccinations. It’s vital that you’re completely relaxed and still before having your injections, so we’re happy to give you as much time as it takes.
- Use distraction tactics (e.g., listening to music, watching a video). At our travel clinic, we like to put on your favourite music or video to lead your mind away from fearful thoughts. If you bring your child, we have bubbles to entertain them – works well for the adults too! Of, course, we also have a plentiful stock of bravery stickers for young and old alike.
- Using a numbing cream (e.g. Emla). If it helps, we’re happy to apply anaesthetic cream to numb the skin for a small additional cost.
- Bring a friend or family member for support. A cuddle or hand holding from a loved one always offers comfort in that stormy sea of intense anxiety. This applies to grown-ups too.
- Schedule for a time when you feel calm and in a good state of mind. Most travel vaccinations can wait a day or two, so a minor delay will not usually influence the effectiveness of the vaccines. This means that if you have other stresses going on in
Post-Vaccination Care and Coping:

Travel vaccinations and side effects. It’s important for you to be aware that most people will not have any side effects following their vaccinations. The most common side effects are a sore arm and occasional mild swelling. Some people may feel a bit run down or feverish but that’s uncommon. If you’re unlucky enough to experience any symptoms, paracetamol and/or ibuprofen are usually sufficient to manage them.

Travel vaccinations are a crucial part of preparing for travel, and a phobia of needles shouldn’t stop you from living your life and exploring the world. It’s also important to remember that they also protect you from serious infections and help keep you safe. It’s ok for you to feel the fear… just push through it!

If you’re still apprehensive about vaccinations why not schedule a consultation at our travel clinic in Coventry? Our friendly travel doctors at Health Klinix can chat through your options in more detail..