Authorised vaccinator
The training and authorisation requirements to become an authorised vaccinator.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
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About the role
Authorised vaccinators are registered health professionals who can administer vaccines listed on the NZ Immunisation Schedule and any other vaccines that are part of an approved immunisation programme to all eligible groups, according to the conditions of their vaccinator authorisation.
For detail on vaccines and vaccinator requirements refer to the Immunisation Handbook.
Become an authorised vaccinator
The following registered health professionals are eligible to become authorised vaccinators:
- Registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and nurse practitioners
- Paramedics
- Registered pharmacists
Training programme
Training programme
Eligible registered health professionals wishing to become authorised vaccinators need to:
-
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.
Authorised vaccinators need 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.
It is recommended that vaccinators carry indemnity insurance. You can discuss this with your employer or registration body.
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
- Te Manawa Taki - Early 2026 (TBC)
- Te Ikaroa - Early 2026 (TBC)
- 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.
Renew my vaccinator authorisation
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.
Starting date vaccinators use the Workforce Requests Portal to apply for authorisation and renewals (by region)
- Northern - 5 November 2025
- Te Manawa Taki - Early 2026 (TBC)
- Te Ikaroa - Early 2026 (TBC)
- 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).
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
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
- Current authorisation letter (if authorised in your district)
- 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
If you are renewing and your authorisation expiry date was:
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
Transition to whole-of-life authorisation
The transition pathway to whole-of-life authorisation is designed to support your knowledge and skill development in childhood immunisation if you have not had recent experience vaccinating tamariki. It helps Aotearoa increase the number of childhood vaccinators and increase childhood immunisation rates, and helps the workforce be better prepared to respond to disease outbreaks.
The transition pathway to whole-of-life training and authorisation is available to:
- authorised vaccinators with conditions on their current authorisation restricting their independent practice with young age groups
- authorised vaccinators who have not had recent (last 24 months) experience vaccinating tamariki aged under 3 years of age
- pharmacist vaccinators who want to broaden their scope to deliver more National Schedule vaccines, or upskill to administer vaccines to tamariki aged under 3 years of age
Training programme
Training programme
To upskill to become an authorised vaccinator (whole-of-life) and administer childhood schedule vaccines independently, 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 2 years of age
- ensure you have a valid CPR certificate
Note that CPR training must meet the requirements in the Immunisation Handbook.
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 current authorisation letter
- Extending Vaccinator Skills (whole-of-life) course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Current APC
- Receive vaccinator authorisation. This authorises you to complete supervised practice and clinical assessment without the need for a vaccine 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)
Become a BCG endorsed vaccinator
Only authorised vaccinators can apply to become BCG vaccinators via a BCG endorsement.
If you are looking for information on tuberculosis legislation and the BCG vaccine view:
Training programme
Training programme
If you are an authorised vaccinator wishing to upskill to be endorsed to administer BCG vaccines, you need to:
- have a valid CPR certificate
- complete the
TB BCG initial vaccinator course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - have completed a minimum of five BCG vaccinations under clinical supervision
- have been assessed as competent by a currently approved BCG clinical assessor.
For information on the approval process for BCG assessors see the Clinical assessor section.
Endorsement process
Endorsement 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
- Te Manawa Taki - Early 2026 (TBC)
- Te Ikaroa - Early 2026 (TBC)
- 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.
Endorsement step-by-step process
Endorsement step-by-step process
This is the process for applying for endorsement 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 ‘TB BCG Initial Vaccinator’ course, have a current APC and CPR training certificate.
- Apply for endorsement and upload the required documents to the portal:
- TB BCG Initial Vaccinator course certificate
- Current authorisation letter (if authorised in your district)
- CPR training certificate
- Current APC
- Receive vaccinator endorsement with full supervision condition. This authorises you to complete supervised practice and clinical assessment without the need for a vaccine standing order or prescription, meaning you can administer BCG vaccine to all ages under one-on-one supervision.
- Complete supervised practice with a supervisor who is a current BCG endorsed vaccinator.
- Complete a clinical assessment with an approved BCG clinical assessor.
- Submit the clinical assessment to the portal.
- Receive vaccinator endorsement with supervision condition removed.
Renew my BCG endorsement
Training programme
Training programme
To renew your BCG training you need to:
- complete the
BCG Endorsed Vaccinator Update course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - have a valid CPR certificate.
Endorsement process
Endorsement 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
- Te Manawa Taki - Early 2026 (TBC)
- Te Ikaroa - Early 2026 (TBC)
- 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.
Endorsement step-by-step process
Endorsement step-by-step process
This is the process for applying for endorsement renewal 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 ‘BCG Endorsed Vaccinator Update’ course, have a current APC and CPR training certificate.
BCG endorsed vaccinator update course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - Apply for endorsement and upload the required documents to the portal:
- BCG Endorsed Vaccinator Update course certificate
- Current authorisation letter (if authorised in your district)
- CPR training certificate
- Current APC
- Receive vaccinator endorsement. The endorsement will allow you to administer BCG vaccine for another 2 years.
Requirements if you are renewing after your endorsement expiry date
Requirements if you are renewing after your endorsement expiry date
If you are renewing and your endorsement expiry date was:
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 endorsement requirements as for a new BCG endorsed vaccinator
Authorised vaccinator supervisors
A health professional training to become an authorised vaccinator or transitioning to an authorised vaccinator (whole-of-life), needs to be supervised while gaining practical experience and completing their workbook or 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.