Pharmacist and Intern Pharmacist
The different options available for pharmacists and intern pharmacists to become vaccinators.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
On this page
About the role
Pharmacists and intern pharmacists can vaccinate under the Medicines Regulations when they have completed vaccinator training and a clinical assessment. A pharmacist and intern pharmacist vaccinator’s scope is based on a specific vaccines medicine classification.
Medicine Regulations 1984 - New Zealand Legislation (external link)
A pharmacist can choose to become an authorised vaccinator, meaning medicine classification age restrictions no longer apply. Vaccinator authorisation includes authorisation to administer all National Immunisation Schedule vaccines to age groups included in the authorisation.
For more information on offering a childhood vaccination service in a pharmacy view:
For detail on vaccines and vaccinator requirements refer to the Immunisation Handbook:
Become a pharmacist vaccinator
Training programme
Training programme
Pharmacists wishing to upskill to administer vaccinations need to:
- complete the Vaccinator Foundation course
Vaccinator Foundation course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - complete the vaccinator skills log
- complete supervised practice to develop competence and confidence
- pass a clinical assessment with an approved assessor
- ensure you have a valid CPR certificate
Note that CPR training must meet the requirements in the Immunisation Handbook.
A pharmacist upskilling to be an authorised vaccinator, needs to be supervised while gaining practical experience and completing their vaccinator skills log.
A supervisor is an authorised vaccinator or pharmacist vaccinator who has at least six months relevant experience appropriate to the age range being vaccinated.
A Vaccinator Update course must be completed every two years to continue vaccinating.
It is recommended that vaccinators carry indemnity insurance. You can discuss this with your employer or registration body.
Pharmacist Vaccinators do not need to apply for authorisation to be able to administer vaccinations (as specified in the medicine classification statements, Schedule 1 of the Medicines Regulations 1984). You must also maintain the following documentation and evidence that demonstrates you meet the Immunisation Standard for Vaccinators, as outlined in the Immunisation Handbook.
- clinical assessment
- current APC
- valid and relevant CPR Certification
- all training courses, including biennial (every two years) Vaccinator Update course
Medicines Regulation 1984 - Schedule 1 - New Zealand Legislation (external link)
Become an authorised vaccinator
A pharmacist can choose to become an authorised vaccinator. The training programme is the same as that for a pharmacist vaccinator. Intern pharmacists are not eligible to become an authorised vaccinator.
Pharmacists who become authorised vaccinators only need to present their authorisation letter during the auditing process with Medsafe to evidence their vaccinator training.
Authorisation process
Authorisation process
The Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Workforce Requests Portal (the portal) is an online portal for vaccinators to apply for authorisation. This portal is currently used to authorise:
- Vaccinating Health Workers
- Pharmacist vaccinators transitioning to become authorised vaccinators
- Age restricted authorised vaccinators applying to vaccinate whole-of-life
Portal use will expand to include all authorised vaccinators and BCG endorsed vaccinators through a regional roll out beginning in late 2025. Below is a table of dates showing when vaccinators start using the portal in each region.
Starting date vaccinators use the Workforce Requests Portal to apply for authorisation and renewals (by region)
- Northern – 5 November 2025
- Midlands | Te Manawa Taki – 11 February 2026
- Central | Te Ikaroa – 11 February 2026
- South Island | Te Waipounamu – 5 November 2025
Until the portal is available in your region, your local authorisation requirements and settings will apply.
Refer to your region’s information or talk to your local immunisation coordinator.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
This is the process for applying for authorisation in the Workforce Requests Portal (the portal).
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
Please refer to the table above for the starting date vaccinators use the portal.
- Complete the ‘Vaccinator Foundation’ course, have a current APC and CPR training certificate.
- Apply for authorisation and upload the required documents to the portal:
- Vaccinator Foundation course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Current APC
- Receive vaccinator authorisation with full supervision conditions. This authorises you to complete supervised practice and clinical assessment without the need for a vaccine standing order or prescription, meaning you can administer national schedule vaccines to all ages under one-on-one supervision.
- Complete supervised practice using the vaccinator skills log with a supervisor who has had at least six months relevant vaccinating experience.
- Complete a clinical assessment with an approved clinical assessor.
- Submit the vaccinator skills log sign off sheet and a clinical assessment to the portal.
- Receive vaccinator authorisation with supervision condition(s) removed. If your assessment included:
- Two vaccination events on a person 3 years old or over, you will be authorised for 3 years and over with supervision required for administering vaccines to tamariki under 3 years old.
- At least one vaccination event on a pēpi under 2 years old, you will be authorised as whole-of-life.
Transition to whole-of-life authorisation
If you are a pharmacist vaccinator you can expand your scope to become an authorised vaccinator (whole-of-life).
For more information on offering a childhood vaccination service in a pharmacy view:
Training programme
Training programme
If you want to upskill and transition to be an authorised vaccinator (whole-of-life) you need to:
- complete the
Extending Vaccinator Skills (whole of life) course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - complete supervised practice to develop competence and confidence
- complete a workbook
- complete a clinical assessment with an approved assessor, on a pēpi under two years of age
- ensure you have a valid CPR certificate
- maintain a current APC
Note that CPR training must meet the requirements in the Immunisation Handbook.
Authorisation process
Authorisation process
It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
- Complete the Extending Vaccinator Skills (whole-of-life) course, have a current APC and CPR training certificate
- Apply and upload the required documents to the Workforce Requests Portal:
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
- your most recent Vaccinator Foundation Course or Vaccinator Update Course certificate
- original clinical assessment
- Extending Vaccinator Skills (whole-of-life) Course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- APC
- Receive vaccinator authorisation. This authorises you to complete supervised practice and clinical assessment without the need for a standing order or prescription, meaning you can administer vaccines to:
- people 3 years of age and over, unsupervised
- tamariki under 3 years of age, supervised
Note. Pharmacist vaccinators on this pathway can remain authorised for 3 years and over, or proceed to the following steps to whole-of-life
- Complete and submit the workbook sign off sheet and a clinical assessment, on a pēpi under 2 years of age to the Workforce Requests Portal
- Receive vaccinator authorisation with supervision conditions removed. This means you can administer vaccines, unsupervised, to people 6 weeks of age and over (whole-of-life).
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
Renew my pharmacist vaccinator status
All vaccinator training and authorisations are valid for two years from your last training date and need to be renewed if you wish to continue vaccinating. It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date.
Training programme
Training programme
To update your vaccinator skills and knowledge you need to:
- complete a
Vaccinator Update course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - ensure you have a current CPR training certificate
Note that CPR training must meet the requirements in the Immunisation Handbook.
If you are a pharmacist vaccinator who is not authorised you don’t need to renew an authorisation.
You do need to meet training requirements outlined above and you must also maintain documentation and evidence that demonstrates you meet the Immunisation Standard for Vaccinators, as outlined in the Immunisation Handbook.
- clinical assessment
- current APC
- valid and relevant CPR certification
- all training courses, including biennial (every two years) Vaccinator Update (whole-of-life) course
Renew my vaccinator authorisation
All vaccinator training and authorisations are valid for two years from your last training date and need to be renewed if you wish to continue vaccinating. It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date.
The Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Workforce Requests Portal (the portal) is an online portal for vaccinators to apply for authorisation. This portal is currently used to authorise:
- Vaccinating Health Workers
- Pharmacist vaccinators transitioning to become authorised vaccinator
- Age restricted authorised vaccinators applying to vaccinate whole-of-life
Portal use will expand to include all authorised vaccinators and BCG endorsed vaccinators through a regional roll out beginning in late 2025. Below is a table of dates showing when vaccinators start using the portal in each region.
Starting date vaccinators use the Workforce Requests Portal to apply for authorisation and renewals (by region)
- Northern – 5 November 2025
- Midlands | Te Manawa Taki – 11 February 2026
- Central | Te Ikaroa – 11 February 2026
- South Island | Te Waipounamu – 5 November 2025
Until the portal is available in your region, your local authorisation requirements and settings will apply.
Refer to your region’s information or talk to your local immunisation coordinator.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
This is the process for applying for authorisation renewal in the Workforce Requests Portal (the portal). Please refer to the table above for the starting date vaccinators use the portal.
- Complete the ‘Vaccinator Update course, have a current APC and CPR training certificate.
- Apply to renew your authorisation and upload the required documents to the portal:
- Vaccinator Update course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Current APC
- Receive vaccinator authorisation for either:
- Whole-of-life, or
- 3 years and over (with supervision required for administering vaccines to tamariki under 3 years old)
Requirements if you are renewing after your authorisation expiry date
Requirements if you are renewing after your authorisation expiry date
Less than 90 days ago:
- Complete the standard renewal requirements
90 days ago or more:
- Complete a new clinical assessment in addition to the standard renewal requirements
2 years ago or more:
- Complete training and authorisation requirements as for a new authorised vaccinator