Vaccinating Health Workers (VHWs)

Want to become a fully authorised vaccinator?

You need to be a Registered or Enrolled Nurse or Pharmacist (including interns) with a current annual practicing certificate.

Please select one of the following options:

You're a...

New vaccinator
Provisionally authorised vaccinator
Help store and prepare vaccines, ready for administration

You're..

a pharmacy technician.

You'll do the:

COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine storage and preparation course

After that you can manage the storage and preparation of vaccines.

Overview

Vaccinating Health Workers (VHWs) can administer a limited range of vaccines under the supervision of a vaccinator who is a registered health professional vaccinator (supervisor). The vaccines VHWs can administer depend on their stage of authorisation.  

Requirements to become an authorised VHW

  • Already working or interested in working in the health sector 
  • Have an employer who can provide your workplace-based training
  • Complete IMAC online courses & face-to-face practical workshop
  • Complete workplace-based education and training
  • Have access to a clinical supervisor to work with during your workplace training and when administering vaccines
  • Hold a current CPR certificate. Please note, the CPR qualification for a VHW must provide evidence that the following tasks can be carried out
      - Infant, child, and adult CPR, including mouth-to-mouth, and mouth-to-mask 

             - Use of an automated external defibrillator

             - Different providers have different titles for their courses. This can be confusing. Therefore,             when selecting a CPR course make sure it covers exactly what is required. You can do this             by sending through the requirements as listed above to double check specifically with the             CPR provider.

             - Make sure to provide evidence that these tasks were included in your course when applying             for authorisation on the HNZ Workforce Portal. 

    Health New Zealand’s VHW Capability Matrix provides details on the training and support required.

    A list of upcoming IMAC face-to-face practical workshops can be found here. Your employer will book you in or make arrangements for another workshop time if needed.

    All authorised VHWs can:

    • Check the consumer’s details are correct
    • Follow the agreed prompt card questions, calling for support when any issues arise
    • Check screening has been completed and consent has been obtained by the supervisor
    • Give post-vaccination advice
    • Observe consumers during the post-vaccination period
    • Check and confirm vaccines prepared by a registered heath professional. (If they complete the Second Checker course)  

    Authorised VHW Stage 1 can:

    • Administer COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to people aged 12 years and over
    • Administer Tdap and HPV9 vaccines to people aged 11 years and over

    Authorised VHW Stage 2

    After completing online course and IMAC workshop can:  

    • Administer VHW Stage 1 vaccines
    • Administer MMR to those aged 11 years an over

    Then after workplace practice and assessment on tamariki aged under 11 years can:

    • Administer MMR, COVID-19 Comirnaty and influenza vaccines to people aged 5 years and over
    • Prepare MMR and COVID-19 Comirnaty single dose and multi-dose vaccines.

    Pathways

    The chart below shows the steps to become an authorised VHW Stage 1 and then VHW Stage 2.

    Vaccinating Health Worker (VHW) Stage 1

    Step 1: Online course and assessment

    This is a free online course that will take you about six hours to complete. It includes a multichoice question assessment.  

    Click here to view the VHW Stage 1 online course.

    Core learning at work

    As well as the IMAC online course, your employer will arrange for additional learning to cover other topics such as consumer rights, privacy and Te Tiriti. They’ll also ensure you have completed certified basic life support (CPR) training and know how to use the Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR).  

    The IMAC online course and employer-led core learning should be completed before attending the IMAC workshop.

    Step 2: IMAC face-to-face practical workshop

    Your employer will book you into a half-day workshop where you’ll meet other VHWs and get some hands-on education for your new role. Your employer needs to contact one of the IMAC VHW Regional Leads to book you in. You can view a list of all upcoming face-to-face practical workshop dates here.

    Step 3: Apply for VHW Stage 1 authorisation  

    Upload the required documents to the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Workforce Request Portal. Once processed, you can download your authorisation letter that allows you to practice your skills with direct 1:1 supervision.

    Step 4: Complete workbook, pass your practical assessment  

    With that initial education under your belt, you’re now able to start vaccinating under direct 1:1 supervision, while working towards undertaking your practical assessment. After completing the relevant sections of your workbook and when your supervisor agrees you are ready, complete the practical assessment.

    Step 5: Update your authorisation

    Upload the completed practical assessment form to the Workforce Request Portal. Once processed, you can download your updated letter allowing you to work as a VHW Stage 1 with 1:6 supervision (one supervisor for up to six VHWs).

    Step 6: Additional vaccine competency assessments by supervisor, as required

    During the practical assessment (Step 4) you will not have been assessed on all four vaccines you’re authorised to administer. Step 6 requires you to undertake short competency assessments for any of the four vaccines that were not covered in the practical assessment. You must complete these assessments before administering the vaccines without 1:1 supervision. These assessments do not need to be submitted to the Workforce Request Portal but keep your workbook as evidence.

    Preparing for VHW Stage 2

    Here’s what you need to have in place before your employer puts forward your application for VHW Stage 2:

    • Approval from your employer to do this training
    • A valid authorisation issued by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora as a VHW Stage 1 (covering all four vaccines)
    • A Certificate of Completion for the Second Checker course
    • An up-to-date CPR certificate
    • Documentation to confirm you have administered 25 vaccines over the past 6 months and administered vaccines for at least 8 weeks
    • Employment with an immunisation provider and have a clinical workplace supervisor

    VHW Stage 1 authorisation and additional employer-led training

    You’ll need to be an authorised VHW Stage 1 (all four vaccines) and complete additional employer-led training.  

    Vaccination experience

    Before starting the VHW Stage 2 course you’ll need to have administered at least 25 vaccines over the past 6 months. These need to occur over at least 8 weeks. This shows you’ve reached the level of experience needed to provide other vaccines to a wider range of people.

    IMAC Second Checker (online) course

    This course enables VHWs to complete specific checks when a registered health professional prepares vaccines - such as confirming vaccine name, expiry and draw up processes. Becoming a second checker allows you to be part of the vaccine preparation process and is an excellent grounding before beginning to prepare vaccines as part of your VHW Stage 2 role.

    Employer makes request for VHW Stage 2 enrolment

    With prerequisites sorted, your employer contacts an IMAC VHW Regional Lead. After confirming that you’re ready to start, they provide contact details and select a practical assessment workshop date.  

    At this point, you’ll get an email that includes a coupon code to use when registering online for the course.

    Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 

    Authorised VHWs Stage 2 can deliver a wider selection of vaccines and can administer some vaccines to children of a younger age.

    Step 1: IMAC online VHW Stage 2 course  

    The online course takes approximately four hours to complete. It offers an overview of current best practices, the administration of Comirnaty, influenza and MMR vaccines to individuals aged 5 years and older and covers the preparation of MMR and Comirnaty vaccine doses.

    Click here to view the VHW Stage 2 online course.

    Step 2: IMAC face-to-face practical workshop

    On completion of the online part of this course, you attend the practical training which is organised by your employer. They will book you into a half-day workshop where you’ll meet other VHWs and extend some of the practical skills learnt during VHW Stage 1.

    Step 3‍: Apply for authorisation with Health New Zealand  

    Upload the required documents to the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Workforce Request Portal. Once processed, you can download your authorisation letter.  

    At this stage you will still be able to give all the VHW Stage 1 vaccines and MMR vaccine to those aged 11 and over, once you have completed the workbook competency assessment. This may be helpful for those who do not initially have an opportunity to vaccinate anyone under 11 years of age. You can progress to Step 4 when the opportunity arises.

    Step 4: Complete workbook, pass your practical assessment  

    You can continue to gain experience in the workplace, administer the new vaccines to children aged 5 to 10 years and prepare COVID-19 vaccines under direct 1:1 supervision. Once you’ve undertaken the practical assessment vaccinating two tamariki aged 5-11 years of age and completed the VHW Stage 2 Workbook you’re ready to update your authorisation.

    Step 5: Update your authorisation

    Upload your practical assessment to the Workforce Request portal. Once that is processed, download an updated letter of authorisation without the 1:1 supervision condition (it changes to 1:6 – one supervisor for up to six VHWs)

    Step 6: Additional vaccine competency assessments by supervisor, as required

    During the practical assessment (Step 4) you may not have been assessed on all the vaccines you’re authorised to prepare and/or administer. Step 6 is required for any new vaccines you may administer or prepare for the first time. Locate and complete competency assessments in your workbook. They do not need to be uploaded to the Workforce Request Portal. Retain the workbook as evidence of achievement.

    How to maintain and renew your VHW authorisation 

    All authorised VHWs are required to renew their authorisation every two years. You’ll need to complete an online update course and submit your certificate to extend your authorisation for another two years.

    Questions on the authorisation process should be emailed to: vaccinatorauthorisations@health.govt.nz

    Contacts for VHW education and support 

    For general course registration questions, please email imaceducation@auckland.ac.nz

    To obtain a link to the online registration form and onboarding support questions, please email the local IMAC VHW regional lead.  

    Northern Region

    Sandra van Dyk

    sandra.vandyk@auckland.ac.nz

    Midland Region

    Chantel Punter

    chantel.punter@auckland.ac.nz

    Central Region

    Janine Emrys

    janine.emrys@auckland.ac.nz

    Southern Region

    Karen Cague

    karen.cague@auckland.ac.nz

    More information

    VHW Capability Matrix

    Health NZ VHW Information Sheets for Employers, Clinical Supervisors and VHWs  

    Ministry of Health VHW information on their website  

    If you would like to download and print a current version of the assessment form, please click the following –VHW Stage 1 form or VHW Stage 2 form.  

    For questions on the authorisation process, please email vaccinatorauthorisation@health.govt.nz.  

    A list of currently planned face-to-face practical workshops can be found here. Your employer will book you in or make arrangements for another workshop time if needed.

    Last updated:
    July 2024