A needle shield assembly comprises an elongate needle shield comprising a shield portion, a hub connection portion and a bridge portion including a living hinge having a thickness, the bridge portion joining the hub connection portion and the shield portion, the hub connection portion comprising a receiving ring having a diameter sized to frictionally receive the hub outer surface when the needle assembly is inserted through the receiving ring and a flange extending from the receiving ring defining a top planar surface and a bottom surface. The thickness of the flange divided by the thickness of the living hinge defines a ratio of from 1.1 to 6. The shield portion is configured to pivot from an open position in which the needle cannula is exposed, to a closed needle protecting position in which the distal end of the needle cannula is within the longitudinal opening of the shield.