Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide an improved needle design and needle assembly which is particularly adapted for live vaccines and the like. More specifically, the needle assembly includes a gap filler with an inner funnel which is specifically shaped and adapted to fill a turbulence gap naturally formed between a conventional needle retainer and syringe. By maintaining a laminar flow of the fluid, the turbulence and the destruction of live cells are reduced. Additionally, some of the needle designs include a funnel-shaped mouth which is utilized during the filling of the syringe to minimize physical damage to the cell wall or membrane of the live cells otherwise caused by the sharp edges at the tip of a standard injection needle. A breakaway needle assembly is also disclosed.