This approved online course is for health professionals who deliver vaccines wishing to renew their vaccinator status and/or update their immunisation knowledge.

The course provides up-to-date information on immunisation theory, practice and policy at a national level to help you maintain appropriate competencies to vaccinate safely within your scope of practice.

Content in this course covers vaccination across the lifespan. Note: Completion of this course does not alter the age range you are currently authorised to give vaccines too.

Vaccinator education must be updated 2 yearly in line with the requirements in Appendix 4 of the Immunisation Handbook.

Intended audience

Vaccinators with a current APC who wish to renew their vaccinator status and/or update immunisation knowledge.

• Registered nurses
• Enrolled nurses
• Pharmacists
• Paramedics
• Other regulated health care professionals

Prerequisites

• Current Annual Practising Certificate
• Current involvement in immunisation service delivery
• Knowledge and familiarity with the current Immunisation Handbook

Course content:

1. Vaccine programmes
2. Vaccine safety
3. Improving immunisation coverage
4. Communication
5. Cultural engagement
6. Vaccine storage, preparation and administration

There is also an Assessment quiz and a Next steps module.  

The course provides 4 hours of continuing professional development. On completion, you can print out a certificate as evidence of learning. This certificate is a requirement when applying for authorisation and may be requested during a MedSafe audit.

Detailed steps for maintaining your vaccinator status can be found in the Next Steps module.