The importance of vaccination in helping to mitigate the severity of the pandemic is indisputable; however, for those suffering from trypanophobia, or a fear of needles, the vaccination process can be a nerve-wracking one. Studies indicate that nearly 20 per cent of people around the world fear needles and injections to some degree, with 10 per cent having an excessive or irrational fear of injections or needles. This fear, says Dr Rashmi Menon, a psychotherapist and holistic medical doctor, is often rooted in past trauma. “For a long-term solution, it is advisable they seek therapy to understand and resolve the root cause of this fear. However, there are short-term fixes that can help to make the vaccination experience less stressful in these trying times,” she shares. 

Dr Rashmi Menon