NeedleCalm™ Newsletter — May 2026
Needle fear in the news:
why this winter matters
A roundup of the stories shaping the conversation around needle phobia, vaccination access, and patient care right now.
Australia is heading into another potentially serious flu season — and the same barrier that has held back vaccination rates for years is back in the headlines: needle fear. In this issue, we look at three stories that make the case for why compassionate, practical solutions have never been more important.
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1 in 4 Aus. children under 5 vaccinated for flu in 2025 |
66% Parents say needle distress is a vaccination barrier |
42 Unnecessary procedures one needle-phobic patient endured |
In the news
Australia’s worst flu season on record — and needle fear is part of the problem
After a record-breaking 2025 flu season, experts are sounding the alarm heading into winter 2026. With child vaccination rates at their lowest since 2021, the RACGP President has singled out needle distress as a key barrier — noting that two thirds of parents say their child’s distress acts as an obstacle to vaccination. A needle-free nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) is now available in Australia for the first time for children aged 2–17. For those who still need an injection, the barrier remains.
Source: Doherty Institute — What to expect from the 2026 flu season
Father endures 42 blood draws over 7 years due to misdiagnosis — while living with needle phobia
Simon Pearson, a 41-year-old UK business director, was misdiagnosed with terminal blood cancer and subjected to 42 blood-drawing procedures over seven years — while living with severe needle phobia. The hospital has since admitted the diagnoses were wrong. “For years I was in and out of hospital, believing I had a condition that could eventually kill me,” he said. He has now launched legal action.
Source: News report, 25 May 2026
Needle fear now formally classified — and recognised as a barrier to healthcare access
The 2026 ICD-10-CM codes formally classify fear of injections (F40.231) as a diagnosable condition. Research shows needle fear affects 20–50% of adolescents and 20–30% of young adults, with over 50% of children affected. Studies show 52% of people with needle phobia avoid blood draws and 33% avoid vaccinations altogether — with direct consequences for disease prevention and early diagnosis.
Source: Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC), April 2026
What NeedleCalm™ does about it. Our evidence-informed adhesive pad uses cool temperature and specific texture stimuli to create a barrier between nerves and the needle — drug-free, in seconds, for patients of all ages. Because no one should avoid life-saving care because of a needle.
For healthcare professionals
Simple ways to reduce needle fear in your clinic this winter
| Apply a NeedleCalm™ pad 30–60 seconds before the procedure — no prescription or prep required. | |
| For children aged 2+, ask about the needle-free FluMist nasal vaccine as an alternative this flu season. | |
| Use neutral, calm language — avoid “it won’t hurt” and instead say “you might feel some pressure.” | |
| Place a Needle Phobia Label on records of known needle-phobic patients so every clinician is prepared. |
needlecalm.com.au •
enquiries@needlecalm.com.au
© 2026 NeedleCalm™ • ABN 52 613 505 712
