Can a numbing cream be used for all types of vaccines?

Numbing creams cannot be used for all types of vaccines. While certain topical anesthetics (numbing creams) are sometimes applied locally to reduce the pain associated with vaccinations given subcutaneously (such as flu vaccine), their usage varies and some vaccines should never be injected with a local anesthetic agent (like inactivated Polio) or only with certain preservatives-free local anesthetics like plain xylocaine (like MMR in Germany). Always follow national immunization guidelines when deciding whether or not local anesthesia should be offered.