A needle protection system, adapted to protect a tip of a hypodermic needle connected or connectable to a syringe. The system comprises a shield to shield the tip of the needle； a needle hub engaged to the hypodermic needle and having an exterior surface including at least one slot. The slot includes at least three surfaces corresponding to three operative orientations of said shield. The needle hub is connected to the shield such that the shield can move axially, but cannot rotate, relative to the needle hub. The three operative orientations include a storage operative orientation, an injection operative orientation, and a needle protection operative orientation. The system also includes a locking sleeve, at least one biasing element, a needle sheath, and at least one tab in the slot to prevent undesired movement between said surfaces.
