For nervous travellers
Scared of needles? You can still get travel-ready
A fear of needles is really common — and it shouldn't stop you protecting yourself for your trip. We help nervous travellers every week with oral options where suitable, combined jabs to reduce injections, numbing cream, and a calm, unhurried appointment.
Medically reviewed by Muhammad Adnan, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2073652) · last reviewed June 2026.
How we help
Three ways we make it easier
1 · Oral options
Oral typhoid is a needle-free course of capsules instead of the injection. Oral cholera (a drink) is available too. We'll check they're suitable for you.
2 · Fewer needles
Combined jabs — like hepatitis A + typhoid in one injection, or hepatitis A + B — cut the number of needles. We plan the smallest sensible number for your trip.
3 · A calm visit
Numbing cream, sitting or lying down, no surprises, distraction and breathing, and the applied-tension technique to prevent fainting. Bring someone if it helps.
If you faint at the sight of needles
Feeling faint at needles (a vasovagal reaction) is common and completely manageable — one of the most frequent things we accommodate. We have you recline or lie down so a faint can't cause a fall, work slowly, and can teach you the applied-tension technique: repeatedly tensing the muscles of your arms, legs and trunk for a few seconds at a time to keep your blood pressure up and stop the faint before it starts.
The goal is simple: get you protected for your trip in the way that feels most manageable to you — whether that's an oral option, fewer combined injections, or just a slower, kinder appointment.
Needle-phobia FAQ
Needles & oral options — your questions answered
Nervous about needles? Just tell us
Book at our Timperley clinic, near Manchester — serving Trafford, Stockport and Cheshire — and let us know you're anxious. We'll plan oral options where suitable, combine jabs to reduce needles, and take it at your pace.