An auto-injector comprising: a housing having a forward end； a container in the housing containing an injectable medication； an injection needle having a sharp forward end, the needle being connectible with the interior of the container to enable medication to flow to and through the needle, the needle being movably mounted with respect to the housing between a retracted position and an injection position forward of the retracted position； a needle shield movably mounted to the housing and having a needle-receptive passageway formed therethrough, the needle shield being movable between a retracted position in which it covers the sharp forward end of the needle when the needle is in its retracted position, a triggering position located rearwardly of the retracted position and an extended position disposed forwardly of the retracted position in which the needle shield covers the sharp forward end of the needle in its injection position； means responsive to movement of the needle shield from its retracted position to its triggering position for moving the needle from its retracted position to an injection position； and means responsive to movement of the injection needle to its injection position for causing medication to flow to and through the needle.
