Immunisation education

The online training course Understanding Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program (external site) is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of immunology and immunisation, enabling nurses to become confident and competent immunisation providers.

The course is endorsed by the Health Education Services Australia (HESA), and is an approved program of study for WA eligible nurses to meet one of the Structured Administration Supply Arrangement (SASA) requirements.

Upon completion of the course, 70 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points are earned (the equivalence of 70 hours online learning).

Assessments

Each module you complete requires you to undertake an assessment and achieve 90 per cent for you to progress further through the course. You are allowed two attempts to progress, including for the final exam.

Registration

• The self-registration process lets you create a unique username and password so you can login anywhere, anytime. As student registration is individual, students cannot transfer registration to other students.
• Internet access and other system requirements (as listed at registration) should be checked prior, as animation, interactivity and audio may not be supported on mobile devices such as iPads or iPhones.
• Once you register to commence the program, you have 20 weeks to complete the course.
• The cost is $350, inclusive of GST. Payment is made through PayPal.

This course was developed by South Australia Health in collaboration with WA Department of Health Communicable Disease Control Directorate (CDCD). To find out more about the course and to register, please access the SA Health website (external site).

Midwives play a key role in immunisation, often providing a baby’s first vaccination and are a trusted source of information for parents to be.

The Understanding Vaccines for Midwives – vaccination requirements during pregnancy and early childhood (external site) course, run by South Australia Health, is an introduction to immunisation that covers key vaccines and topics relevant to midwives. The course aims to equip midwives with knowledge and skills to feel confident to engage with parents on the topic of vaccines and vaccination.

The course meets one of the requirements of the WA Health Structured Administration Supply Arrangements (SASA). Located under the CEO of Health SASA accordion.

To find out more about the course and to register, please access the SA Health website (external site).

Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners (AHW and AHP) in Western Australia who wish to administer vaccines and promote the importance of immunisation are encouraged to complete this immunisation course. . All AHWs and AHPss with a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Work (practice) are encouraged to undertake the course.

The course is delivered over 2 weeks. Upon completion AHWs will be certified to administer vaccines under medical supervision.

This course was developed by the WA Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Directorate in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA). To register, contact AHCWA on 9227 1631 or for more information visit the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia website (external site).

The annual Immunisation Updates are free online modules which serve as a refresher for immunisation providers, and:

• provides updated information on all aspects of immunisation
• enhances immunisation knowledge.

Process to access immunisation update

• In order to access the online education modules, users will need to complete the immunisation update registration form (external site). Requests will be responded to within 5 working days.
• Users will receive an email from Rise Education which they can use to create an account. Account login details are temporary. Once an account is created, users have 2 weeks to complete the module and obtain a copy of their certificate for their records. If access to Rise Education is required after 2 weeks and login details are no longer valid, users will need to complete the registration form again.
• All module updates are best accessed via a desktop or laptop computer. The use of iPads and mobile phones is not recommended.
• Note: No record of any assessments or certificate are kept. All modules must be completed within the two-week period and it is up to the individual to save or print a copy of their own certificate.

View the using the immunisation updates for more information. For any further queries, please contact Immunisation.education@health.wa.gov.au.

Immunisation update module

The Immunisation update module has been developed by WA CDCD to provide all WA immunisation providers access to current immunisation education. Immunisation providers working under the CEO of Health SASA must complete this update annually.

The update comprises of 4 modules including scenarios and quizzes. It will take approximately 4 hours to complete and can be completed over multiple sessions.

Influenza module

The Influenza module has been developed as an annual refresher for immunisation providers and provides the user with up-to-date influenza immunisation information. Please refer to the education requirements table (PDF 25KB) to see if this applies to you.

• This module should take approximately 2 hours and can be completed over multiple sessions.
• You are required to complete the final assessment with a passing score of 80%.

Shingles module

The Shingles module has been developed to support immunisation providers who wish only to undertake a refresher in this topic. This module provides the user with an overview of shingles vaccine and vaccination.

This module should take approximately 2 hours and can be completed over multiple sessions.

Public health perspective module

The Public health perspective module has been developed to support immunisation providers who wish only to undertake a refresher in this topic. This module provides the user with an overview of public health including the immune system and health promotion.

This module should take approximately one hour and can be completed over multiple sessions.

Training modules are available to all immunisation providers delivering COVID-19 vaccines in WA, and all professionals should complete the training modules prior to commencing their role in vaccination clinics.

All professionals must print out their certificate after successful completion of each module, as evidence and to provide to their employer.

Sections 1 and 2 below meet the approved education requirements of the CEO of Health SASA’s for registered nurses, midwives, enrolled nurses and pharmacists.

1) Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination training program

All certified immunisation providers are required to complete this training PRIOR to engaging in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

This national COVID-19 vaccination training program is developed by the Australian College of Nursing.

For more information and to access the course, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website (external site).

2) WA Supplementary module for health professionals

The WA Supplementary Information for Health Professionals module (external site) should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and is to be read in conjunction with relevant area service developed standard operating procedures to deliver vaccination services.

Whilst Medical Practitioners (GPs) and Registered Nurses do not need to work under the authority of a SASA, as they can independently order and administer vaccines, it is highly recommended they complete the short WA supplementary module which outlines specific WA information not captured in the Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination training program. 

3) VaccinateWA training module (WA Health staff only)

The VaccinateWA education module provides an overview of the system used to support the end to end delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. Access to the VaccinateWA application, training module and user guides are available through VaccinateWA (WA Health staff only).

• 2023 Influenza update
• Presentation: RSV – Disease Burden and Preventive Options – Professor Louis Bont, June 16, 2023 (external site)

To contribute towards eligibility to practice as an immunisation provider in WA, approved immunisation education programs listed below and/or are accredited by Health Education Services Australia (HESA) (external site) are recognised by WA Health.

Note: Immunisation providers still need to adhere to other additional requirements to support authority to practice, e.g. organisational requirements or the SASA, if applicable.

The clinical competency assessment guide (PDF 283KB) will assist professionals to identify levels of competency in their immunisation practice. Whilst the guide is optional it can be a good reference for immunisation providers who are at varying levels of competency. As such, the assessment tool is not a mandatory requirement of the immunisation course. 

The Understanding Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program course covers comprehensive clinical knowledge relating to immunisation.

Nurses who are not yet working or are returning to work in immunisation-related fields (in any capacity) will need to undertake additional educational requirements, as referenced within the table below:

The comprehensive Understanding Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program course is delivered entirely online. Successful completion of the course provides the educational requirements for immunisation practice in Western Australia. Nurses need to adhere to additional requirements depending on their place of employment e.g. in-clinic supervision.

The Structured Administration Supply Arrangements (SASA) may be relevant to your practice, depending on your place of employment, and should be reviewed to assess if you need to meet additional requirements to safely practice immunisation in Western Australia.