currently working in the health sector as a kaiāwhina, healthcare assistant or similar.
you'll complete work based training
you can give some vaccines under clinical supervision.
someone who wants to support whānau during their immunisation visit. You might have some community or social work experience.
you can assist with post-immunisation care and the running of vaccination clinics.
a pharmacy technician.
you can manage the storage and preparation of vaccines.
currently working in the health sector as a kaiāwhina, healthcare assistant, pharmacy technician or similar.
someone who wants to support whānau during their visit. You might have some community or social work experience.
work-based training
you can give some vaccines under clinical supervision
you can assist with post-immunisation care and the running of vaccination clinics
Vaccinating health worker (VHW) is a new vaccinator role introduced in May 2022 that supersedes the former COVID-19 Vaccinator Working Under Supervision (CVWUS) role.
VHWs can administer a limited range of vaccines under the supervision of a clinical supervisor without a standing order. The vaccines VHWs can administer is dependent on their authorisation.
Authorised VHW Stage 1s can:
Authorised VHW Stage 2s can:
On completion of the online courses for both VHW Stage 1 and VHW Stage 2, you will need to complete a practical workshop followed by workplace clinical training and a practical assessment under a standing order.
Practical assessor criteria changed in July 2023. Now, the requirements are that assessors need to be authorised or pharmacist vaccinators with 6 months of experience (no longer 2 years). While workbooks issued prior to this date have the old criteria, these will still be accepted by the Te Whatu Ora authorisation team. If you would like to download and print a current version of the assessment form please click the following - Stage 1 VHW form or Stage 2 VHW form.
You then need to apply to Te Whatu Ora for authorisation. Once you have been granted authorisation, you can administer vaccines as per your authorisation letter under the supervision of a clinical supervisor.
In addition to the IMAC VHW training, the VHWs must also complete other core training outlined in the VHW Capability Matrix. The employer is responsible for providing access to courses and support for course completion.
There is more information on the training pathway and details on the course in the course information pages: VHW Stage 1 and VHW Stage 2.
Once you have completed your vaccine specific course your employer can contact your local IMAC VHW Regional Lead to book you in for a practical session for Stage 1.
For current available dates please CLICK HERE
All authorised VHWs are required to renew their authorisation every two years. The renewal process for VHW authorisation is currently under development.
Questions on the authorisation process should be emailed to: vaccinatorauthorisations@health.govt.nz.
VHW education is currently free. For general registration questions please email imaceducation@auckland.ac.nz.
Important note
