Adam really wants to get vaccinated against Covid-19, but an extreme fear of needles is holding him back.

The 23-year-old from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, says it’s not the pain he’s afraid of. For him, it’s the thought of the injection itself – and the needle piercing his skin. A recent Oxford University survey of more than 15,000 adults in the UK suggests needle phobia accounts for about 10% of Covid vaccine hesitancy. Read Adam’s story Covid vaccine and needle phobia: ‘It feels like the world is ending’ – BBC News

Overcoming your fear will take some time and practice, but it will make life less stressful and you will feel less anxious.

• Don’t be ashamed of being scared of injections – you are not alone.
• Tell health professionals about your worries.
• Think about what helps.
• Learn applied tension technique if you faint or feel very faint, or breathing for relaxation exercise if you feel panicky.
• Overcome your fear one step at a time