A blood collection device for use with a blood collection vial, the blood collection device comprising: a housing having a proximal end configured to receive the blood collection vial; a needle retraction assembly positioned near a distal end of the housing and moveable between an initial assembled configuration and an activated configuration in response to the application of an activation force against the blood collection vial by a user, the needle retraction assembly comprising: a spike plate comprising rupturing members extending distally of the needle retraction assembly; and a needle hub engaged with other components of the needle retraction assembly in a first position when the needle retraction assembly is in the initial assembled configuration, and moveable to a second, sealed, position within the needle retraction assembly in response to the application of the activation force to move the needle retraction assembly to the activated configuration; a needle supported by the needle hub, the needle having a distal end for piercing the skin of a subject and a proximal end for insertion through a cover of the blood collection vial; and a propellant chamber located distally of the spike plate, the propellant chamber having a seal for initially containing propellant, the seal being rupturable upon movement of the spike plate to the activated position to release the propellant; so that release of the propellant moves the needle retraction assembly and the needle in the proximal direction to retract the needle inside the housing. a housing having a proximal end configured to receive the blood collection vial; a needle retraction assembly positioned near a distal end of the housing and moveable between an initial assembled configuration and an activated configuration in response to the application of an activation force against the blood collection vial by a user, the needle retraction assembly comprising: a spike plate comprising rupturing members extending distally of the needle retraction assembly; and a needle hub engaged with other components of the needle retraction assembly in a first position when the needle retraction assembly is in the initial assembled configuration, and moveable to a second, sealed, position within the needle retraction assembly in response to the application of the activation force to move the needle retraction assembly to the activated configuration; a spike plate comprising rupturing members extending distally of the needle retraction assembly; and a needle hub engaged with other components of the needle retraction assembly in a first position when the needle retraction assembly is in the initial assembled configuration, and moveable to a second, sealed, position within the needle retraction assembly in response to the application of the activation force to move the needle retraction assembly to the activated configuration; a needle supported by the needle hub, the needle having a distal end for piercing the skin of a subject and a proximal end for insertion through a cover of the blood collection vial; and a propellant chamber located distally of the spike plate, the propellant chamber having a seal for initially containing propellant, the seal being rupturable upon movement of the spike plate to the activated position to release the propellant;