Abstract: A shield for hypodermic needles is disclosed which is preferably of unitary construction and made of a plastic such as polypropylene. The shield is preferably cylindrical and is formed as a sleeve with a hollow bore for receiving the cannula of a hypodermic needle assembly. The shield is fixed at the hub of the needle assembly and can be either attached to the hub using a method such as heat or sonic sealing, or it can be manufactured with the hub as a unit. The sleeve has an upper axially rigid portion toward the tip end of the cannula, a lower axially rigid portion at the hub end, and at least two displaceable portions between the upper and lower rigid portions. Each of the displaceable portions are further subdivided into at least two subportions by introducing slits into the displaceable portions. The sleeve has hinging portions at the interfaces between the rigid portions and the displaceable portions, and a hinging portion at the interface between the displaceable portions.