# Watching needle injections on tv **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141 "2021-01-09T21:22:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chasole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aca169/32.png) [@chasole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chasole)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/1 "2021-01-09T21:22:29Z")
Really getting tired of watching those tv news segments that zoom in on people getting the covid vaccine. I not squeamish, but enough already. And while you’re at it, please stop showing people vomiting as part of tv and movie plots. It doesn’t add to the story. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/2 "2021-01-09T21:29:04Z")
I disagree, there is a sound justification for normalising injections at the moment. The more people see it as normal and routine the better. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/3 "2021-01-09T21:53:54Z")
Since the subject’s been raised, I have a specific question about the Covid vaccine injections I see on TV. Why does the nurse seem to withdraw the plunger slightly before pressing down and injecting the vaccine? Is this always done and I haven’t noticed, or is there something specific to vaccines (or this vaccine) that makes this necessary? IANA medical practitioner of any type, so thanks in advance for fighting my ignorance on this. Also, I’m assuming that I’m seeing current vaccinations instead of file footage, as everyone’s wearing masks. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/4 "2021-01-09T22:25:43Z")
This is standard injection technique designed to eliminate the possibility of the needle having entered a vein (rather than fat or muscle tissue). If, when you draw back the plunger the syringe fills with blood, you are in the wrong spot. ETA: Vaccines go into muscle. Some other types of injections go into fat (subcutaneously). mmm ---
**Author:** ![pabstist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@pabstist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pabstist)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/5 "2021-01-10T04:43:05Z")
Up here in Vermont on the local news they have been blurring out the needle injections, and we really were confused about why. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/6 "2021-01-10T04:46:09Z")
I have a profound needle phobia (my doctor kindly prescribed some serious anti-anxiety meds so I could face the vaccine without freaking the fuck out)–and I’m pretty okay with news shots of the needle. It’s pretty mild desensitization therapy for me. Contrast to movies and dramatic shows like, say, _Stranger Things_, where injections are accompanied by a loud squelching sound effect as the needle enters the body, and they’re NEVER good. Seriously, like 99% of the time someone gets stuck with a needle on a show/movie, it’s a really super bad thing. No help at all. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/7 "2021-01-10T18:23:00Z")
How did the scene in _Pulp Fiction_ affect you? ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/8 "2021-01-10T19:00:14Z")
I don’t mind getting shots, but I can’t watch it. I didn’t have a problem with watching the needle go in until I was in college. I was having a blood sample taken, and the nurse admonished me not to look. I’d always been ok with seeing it, so I said that I’d be ok. I wasn’t. I haven’t been since. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/9 "2021-01-10T23:32:07Z")
Since I have to give myself insulin injections 3x a day, I have no fear of needles. And when I have to give blood from my arm, I always watch the procedure. Looking forward to watching my COVID vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/10 "2021-01-10T23:38:10Z")
I am needle phobic and I hate it when I see injections without warning. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/11 "2021-01-11T01:27:30Z")
That was the least disgusting thing about the movie, kind of like the “grossest” scene in “Pink Flamingos” is also one of the least disgusting things about the world’s filthiest people. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/12 "2021-01-11T01:28:49Z")
That’s to make sure the needle isn’t in a vein or artery, and therefore prevent direct injection into the bloodstream. AFAIK, it usually wouldn’t be harmful, but that’s not the way it’s intended to be given. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-needle-injections-on-tv/930141/13 "2021-01-11T01:54:03Z")
I wonder if anyone else is like me… I have no problem with needles going into a muscle or under my skin… But when a needle is in a vein I freak (blood test, IV). I would NOT make a good heroin addict.