Abstract: A syringe has a body on which is mounted an end fitting fixed to a needle having a tip. A protective device for the syringe has a small-diameter sleeve fitting around the needle and having an inner end at the end fitting and an opposite outer end. This sleeve can move from a starting position with the outer end adjacent the body and exposing the needle tip and an end position with the outer end engaged over the needle tip. The sleeve is formed with at least one flexible extension having a free outer end generally level with the needle tip in the starting position. The sleeve is secured to the end fitting in the starting position by structure sufficiently weak that a traction applied to the flexible extension displaces the sleeve into the end position.