An automatically operable safety shield system for use with a syringe, the safety shield system including an holder having proximal and distal portions and defining an enclosure into which the syringe may be inserted, an outer shield having proximal and distal portions, mounted outwards from the inner holder being axially movable relative to the inner holder between retracted and extended positions, a spring positioned between a first detent on the inner holder and a second detent on the outer shield, and urging the outer shield to its extended position, the inner holder having at least one first opening and the outer shield having at least one first stop member, the first stop member being engageable with the first opening when the outer shield is in the retracted position, the inner holder having distal to the first opening at least one first indentation, the first stop member being engageable with the first indentation when the outer shield is in the extended position.