This 14–15 hour course combines online learning and assessment with an additional 4-hour practical workshop.

It provides knowledge and skills to safely administer vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule, within the health professional’s scope of practice. It is an essential requirement for authorisation or approval as a pharmacist vaccinator.  

Important information: This course is fully funded by Health NZ to support new vaccinators. There are a limited number of spaces available and priority of spaces will be allocated to individuals who meet all the registration requirements when courses are full and/or when we have waiting lists. Therefore, IMAC may review your course enrolment when courses are full and when we need to prioritise spaces.

Please ensure you are able to meet all the registration requirements below, including the ability to complete online learning and assessment in advance of the face-to-face practical session and are able to attend the face-to-face practical session.

Registration requirements

You must:    

• be a registered nurse, enrolled nurse, pharmacist, pharmacist intern or paramedic  

• have a current annual practicing certificate

• be employed in a vaccinating role and the workplace is approved to deliver vaccines. This will ensure the workplace has appropriate supervision to support completion of the practical skills training and clinical assessment

Note: Nurse prescribers, nurse practitioners, medical doctors, as prescribers, need not be authorised to administer vacines. These professional groups may still enrol in this course to gain greater understanding of vaccines and immunisation service delivery in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Course content  

• Immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases  

• The immune system  

• National Immunisation Schedule  

• Types and composition of vaccines  

• Vaccine safety  

• Storage and handling of vaccines  

• Improving immunisation coverage  

• Informed consent and immunisation communication  

• Vaccine administration  

• Legislation, endorsement and authorisation  

Course assessment  

A set of 80 multiple choice questions, delivered in two parts, assessing safety and general vaccine knowledge (up to 1 hour and 40 minutes timeframe) You should complete and pass the online assessment BEFORE attending the four hour face-to-face practical workshop.

Practical workshop

Attend the venue on the date and time you chose when registering for this course.

Workplace experience and clinical assessment  

In addition to the online and face to face education, you are required to work with an experienced vaccinator, evidenced by completing the Vaccinator skills log, and complete a clinical assessment with an approved assessor - usually the local immunisation coordinator.  

• The workplace experience and assessment take place in the workplace. It is the learner's responsibility to organise.  

• The Vaccinator skills log and the clinical assessment must be completed within 12 months of the practical workshop.

To note:

Please choose only one date and location to add to your cart. If you need to change dates, please contact our education team at imaceducation@auckland.ac.nz