Vaccinating health worker
Vaccinating health workers are unregistered health care workers who have completed training and are authorised to deliver vaccines under supervision.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
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About the role
Vaccinating health workers (VHWs) are unregistered health care workers (i.e. a health care worker who does not hold a New Zealand annual practising certificate) who have completed vaccinator training and are authorised to administer vaccines under supervision.
VHWs are not permitted to gain informed consent or complete pre-vaccine screening. Only registered health professionals can pre-screen and complete the informed consent process with consumers. Employers and supervisors must ensure VHWs are staying within their scope of practice.
There are two stages to the VHW role:
VHW Stage 1 can administer COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to people 12 years of age and over, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV9) and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (whooping cough) (Tdap) to people 11 years of age and over.
VHW Stage 2 can prepare and administer all vaccines covered in VHW Stage 1 and COVID-19, influenza and MMR to people five years of age and over.
If a person is currently working in, or is interested in working in the health sector, for example, as a kāiawhina, health care assistant or pharmacy technician, or has been trained as a health professional overseas but does not currently hold a New Zealand practising certificate, they can enter the learning pathway to become a VHW Stage 1.
The vaccinating health worker guide (see link below) has detailed information for VHWs, their employers and supervisors.
For detail on vaccines and vaccinator requirements refer to the Immunisation Handbook.
Become a VHW Stage 1
If you would like to start the training and authorisation pathway to become a VHW Stage 1 the sections and resources below will help guide you.
Training programme
Training programme
If you are an unregistered health professional (e.g. kāiawhina or pharmacy technician) wishing to upskill and be an authorised VHW:
- ensure you have completed core learning (see Core learning resources below) provided by your employer. These topics are normally completed as part of an induction programme
- complete training on the Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR). This can be through completion of the free Getting started with the Aotearoa Immunisation Register course
Getting started with the Aotearoa Immunisation Register course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - complete the
Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - complete the free Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 practical workshop
- complete the workbook
- complete supervised practice to develop competence and confidence
- pass a practical assessment with a practical assessor
- ensure you have a valid CPR certificate
Note that CPR training must meet the requirements in the Immunisation Handbook.
Core Learning - Training Options [PDF, 155 KB]
Vaccinating Health Worker: Capability Matrix [PDF, 70 KB]
Vaccinating Health Worker: Capability Matrix [DOCX, 51 KB]
Becoming a Vaccinating Health Worker [PDF, 271 KB]
Authorisation process
Authorisation process
VHW authorisation is done in the Workforce Requests Portal and occurs in two parts:
- After completing the online Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 course and Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 practical workshop, you’ll apply for authorisation to work under direct supervision. This means you can, under direct (one-to-one) supervision, practice vaccinating without the need for a vaccine standing order or prescription.
- Once you’ve completed the workbook, and a practical assessment you’ll submit these to the Workforce Requests Portal to be authorised to work under one-to-six supervision.
Training and authorisation are valid for two years from the date of your Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 course completion, after which, training and authorisation needs to be renewed. It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
- Complete the Vaccinating Health Worker: Stage 1 course, Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 practical workshop and hold a current CPR training certificate
- Apply and upload the required documents in the Workforce Requests Portal for approval:
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)- Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Receive vaccinator authorisation. This authorises you to complete supervised practice without the need for a vaccine standing order or prescription, meaning you can administer:
- COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to people 12 years of age and over, under direct (one-to-one) supervision
- HPV9 and Tdap vaccines to people 11 years of age and over, under direct (one-to-one) supervision
- Complete the workbook
- Complete a practical assessment with a practical assessor. This practical assessment should include:
- five vaccination events
- administering at least one of the VHW Stage 1 vaccines
- Submit completed practical assessment to the Workforce Requests Portal
- Receive vaccinator authorisation with supervision conditions changed to a one-to-six supervision requirement
If you want to start administering a VHW Stage 1 vaccine that wasn't included in your practical assessment, you should work with your supervisor to complete a competency assessment. This ensures you are confident and competent to administer the new vaccine. You don’t need to submit this competency assessment to the Workforce Requests Portal, but you should keep it for your, and your employer’s records. Competency assessment forms can be found in your workbook.
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
Renew my VHW Stage 1 authorisation
VHW Stage 1 training and authorisation are valid for two years from your last training date and need to be renewed if you wish to continue vaccinating.
Training programme
Training programme
To update your vaccinator skills and knowledge you need to:
- complete the
Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 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.
Authorisation process
Authorisation process
It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date. The Workforce Requests Portal will send you an email notification 60 days and 30 days before your authorisation expiry date.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
- Complete the Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 Update course and have a current CPR training certificate
- Apply and upload the required documents in the Workforce Requests Portal for approval. Required documents:
- Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 Update course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Receive VHW vaccinator authorisation, valid for two years from the date of your Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 1 update course
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
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 practical assessment in addition to the standard renewal requirements
2 years or more:
- Complete training and authorisation requirements as for a new VHW Stage 1
Become a VHW Stage 2
If you are a VHW Stage 1 authorised to administer all four vaccines (COVID-19, influenza, HPV9 & Tdap) and have administered at least 25 vaccines over at least 8 weeks, you can progress to VHW Stage 2 training and authorisation.
Training programme
Training programme
If you are a VHW Stage 1 who meets the criteria (above) to become a VHW Stage 2 you need to:
- complete additional core learning provided by your employer (see Capability Matrix resource below)
- complete the free Second Checker course
Second Checker course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link) - complete the free Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 practical workshop (available after completion of the
Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 course - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link)) - complete supervised practice to develop competence and confidence
- complete the workbook
- pass a practical assessment with a practical assessor
- ensure you have a valid CPR certificate
Note that CPR training must meet the requirements in the Immunisation Handbook.
Vaccinating Health Worker: Capability Matrix [PDF, 70 KB]
Authorisation process
Authorisation process
VHW authorisation occurs via the Workforce Requests Portal and occurs in two parts:
- after completion of the Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 course and Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 practical workshop, you’ll apply for authorisation to work with supervision conditions for new age groups. This means you can, under direct (one-to-one) supervision, practice vaccinating younger age groups without the need for a standing order or prescription.
- once you’ve completed the workbook, and a practical assessment you’ll submit these to the Workforce Requests Portal to be authorised to work under one-to-six supervision.
Training and authorisation are valid for two years from the date of your Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 course completion, after which, training and authorisation need to be renewed. It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
- Complete the Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 course, Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 practical workshop and hold a current CPR training certificate
- Apply and upload the required documents to the Workforce Requests Portal for approval:
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
- Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 – course certificate
- Second checker course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Receive vaccinator authorisation. This authorises you to:
- administer VHW Stage 1 vaccines and MMR to people 11 years and over under, one-to-six supervision
- complete supervised practice for new age groups without the need for a vaccine standing order or prescription. This means, you can:
- prepare COVID-19, influenza and MMR vaccines, under direct (one-to-one) supervision
- administer COVID-19, influenza and MMR to people between 5 years and 11 years of age, under direct (one-to-one) supervision
- Complete the workbook
- Pass a practical assessment with a practical assessor, which includes:
- two vaccination events with two tamariki 11 years of age or under
- Submit your completed practical assessment to the Workforce Requests Portal for approval
- Receive vaccinator authorisation with supervision conditions changed to a one-to-six supervision requirement for vaccine preparation and administration
If you want to start preparing and/or administering a VHW Stage 2 vaccine that wasn't included in your practical assessment, you should work with your supervisor to complete a competency assessment. This ensures you are confident and competent to prepare and / or administer the new vaccine. You don’t need to submit this competency assessment to the Workforce Requests Portal, but you should keep it for your and your employer’s records. Competency assessment forms can be located in your workbook.
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
Requirements if you are renewing after your authorisation expiry date
Requirements if you are renewing after your authorisation expiry date
31 days ago or more:
- Submit a new practical assessment in addition to the standard renewal requirements
5 years ago or more
- Complete training and authorisation requirements as for a new VHW Stage 1
Renew my VHW Stage 2 authorisation
VHW Stage 2 authorisations are valid for two years from your last training date and need to be renewed if you wish to continue vaccinating.
Training programme
Training programme
To update your vaccinator skills and knowledge you need to:
- complete the free
Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 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.
Authorisation process
Authorisation process
It’s your responsibility to keep track of your authorisation expiry date. The Workforce Requests Portal will send you an email notification 60 days and 30 days before your authorisation expiry date.
Authorisation step-by-step process
Authorisation step-by-step process
- Complete the Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 Update course and have a current CPR training certificate
- Apply and upload the required documents in the Workforce Requests Portal:
Workforce Requests Portal - Health NZ (external link)
- Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 Update course certificate
- CPR training certificate
- Receive VHW vaccinator authorisation, valid for two years from the date of your Vaccinating Health Worker Stage 2 Update course
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 practical assessment in addition to the standard renewal requirements
2 years ago or more:
- Complete training and authorisation requirements as for a new VHW Stage 2
VHW supervision, supervisors and practical assessors
It is important that experienced and confident registered health professionals provide clinical supervision for VHWs, ensuring that vaccines are administered safely and competently.
Depending on where the VHW is in their training and authorisation pathway, supervision is required to be either one-to-one (direct) or one-to-six supervision. The VHW’s current authorisation letter will have details of their supervision conditions.
VHWs are not permitted to gain informed consent or complete pre-vaccine screening. Only registered health professionals can pre-screen and complete the informed consent process. Employers and supervisors must ensure VHWs are staying within their scope of practice.
A clinical supervisor will:
- be a New Zealand registered healthcare professional
- be an authorised vaccinator, or pharmacist vaccinator
- have a relevant, recent vaccination experience
- have been nominated as a suitable candidate to be a supervisor by your employer
- have completed the free training Supervisors of Vaccinating Health Workers (highly recommended)
Supervisors of Vaccinating Health Workers - Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link)
It’s also important that you have a full understanding of the scope of the VHW role, their training pathway and the responsibilities of being a supervisor. This is covered in the Supervisors of Vaccinating Health Workers training, and you should familiarise yourself with the VHW content and resources on this webpage, including the:
- Guide: Becoming a vaccinating health worker [PDF, 271 KB]
- Vaccinating health worker capability matrix [PDF, 70 KB]
- Vaccinating health worker capability matrix [DOCX, 51 KB]
The VHW supervisor may be different to the VHW practical assessor.
The practical assessor must be an authorised vaccinator with a minimum of six months vaccinating experience. The role of the practical assessor is to complete the practical assessment of the VHW to determine if they are competent.