General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Fear of needles can make vaccination difficult to contemplate. Tell the professional before the visit, even if you have already postponed an injection. This conversation helps prepare the procedure with your particular concern in mind.
Explain what troubles you: seeing the needle, expecting pain or fearing another faint. If you previously lost consciousness during healthcare, describe what happened and the follow-up, without trying to identify the cause yourself.
Ask how you will be positioned and what will be explained before the injection. The professional can agree suitable positioning with you. You can also ask for guidance on calm breathing, without expecting a guarantee that the injection will be painless.
The French medicines agency ANSM describes fainting that may be related to injection stress, particularly in its HPV vaccination guidance. This does not mean every symptom can be attributed to anxiety; the professional must assess it.
During or after the injection, tell the professional immediately if you feel unwell or dizzy. Follow their instructions and the observation period they specify, instead of getting up quickly to leave the vaccination setting.
Before choosing the vaccination pathway, clarify how your fear and previous faint will be addressed. Keep the request practical: explain the procedure, check suitable positioning and establish what to do if discomfort occurs during the visit.
Sources
Vaccination
Flu and Covid-19: the 2026–2027 campaign
The national flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign starts on 13 October 2026. In Doctolib, choose “Vaccination antigrippale (Grippe)” or “Vaccination COVID-19” for the vaccination you want to discuss.
Bring your carte Vitale and, for flu, your coverage voucher if you have one. The professional checks the recommendations and coverage conditions that apply to you.
The pharmacy checks whether vaccination and coverage apply based on the vaccine, your age and your circumstances.
Assurance Maladie — Campagne grippe 2026–2027 (25 septembre 2026) · Assurance Maladie — Campagne Covid-19 (30 septembre 2026) · Assurance Maladie — Vaccination par le pharmacien · Assurance Maladie — Prise en charge des vaccins · Ministère de la Santé — Calendrier vaccinal
Your health review
Review your health
Mon bilan prévention is an appointment to discuss your habits and choose your health priorities. Review the four age groups and practical information.