Understanding vaccines and adult vaccination requirements for workplace programs

Understanding vaccines and adult vaccination requirements for workplace programs aims to provide health professionals with a sound knowledge and understanding of vaccine preventable diseases, the vaccines to protect against the disease, and skills to competently deliver a safe immunisation service to adults by:

  • introducing the learner to information on the theoretical and practical components of immunisation
  • guiding the learner to utilise the relevant resources that support best practice when delivering an immunisation service, and
  • assisting the learner to assess their understanding of the relevant information.

This course has been developed by immunisation and education experts from the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB), Department for Health and Wellbeing, South Australia, and the Education and Training Department of the Women and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia

Register now for Understanding vaccines and adult vaccination requirements for workplace programs

Certificate awarded

Health professionals who successfully complete and meet all course requirements will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Continuing Professional Development

On completion of the course all learners will be able to print a Record of Study that can be used to assist with claiming Continuing Professional Development. SA Health recommends up to 30 CPD hours to be claimed.

Registration requirements

To register, you must provide your full name, email address, a password, and state or territory of residence. If provided, your AHPRA number will be recorded on your Certificate of Completion.

Course requirements

The course requires access to the internet and a current browser. It is recommended to use the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge of Internet Explorer 10 and above. The course can be accessed via desktop, laptop or mobile devices.

The program must be completed within a period of 20 weeks from the date of purchase.

Course assessments

Multiple choice assessments are included throughout the 3 modules and there are 2 exams. Learners are allowed two attempts at each assessment question and need to achieve 80% correct for the module assessment to move on to the next module or an exam. At the conclusion of Module 2 and Module 3 there is a short exam and 80% must be achieved within two attempts, to successfully complete the course.

Cost

The course cost is $220 (inc GST). Secure payment is made by credit card online through BPOINT. This is linked to the registration process. If purchasing access on behalf of multiple users (three or more), a request to pay via invoice can be made.

Course content

The following is a course outline and provides details of the topics covered. The program is divided into three modules, with the information provided under sub-headings.

Module 1

This module aims to introduce the learner to immunisation from a public health perspective and discusses the effectiveness of immunisation programs. The National Immunisation Program Schedule is introduced and the governing structures that guide the vaccine recommendations and schedule points for administration.

Module 1 delivers information on the fundamentals of microbiology and immunology, providing a foundation for further understanding of the disease process, the chain of infection, vaccine types and development and how vaccines work. Topics include:

  • Why we immunise
  • Basic microbiology
  • Basic immunology
  • Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program
  • Vaccine performance and vaccine licensing

Module 2

Levels of many vaccine preventable diseases are low in Australia, but there continues to be a risk of diseases being imported and others continue to occur in Australia. To understand the need to be protected against these diseases, it is important to know how each disease is caused and spread, the severity of illness and possible outcomes including death.

This module presents information on vaccine preventable diseases and the vaccine designed to protect against the disease, which may be administered within the National Immunisation Program, to adults in the community and in Occupational Health Programs. Topics include:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Diphtheria and tetanus
  • Pertussis
  • Polio
  • Hepatitis A
  • Measles, mumps and rubella
  • Varicella
  • Influenza
  • Other vaccine preventable diseases of note: COVID-19 Japanese encephalitis, Mpox

Module 3

Module 3 will assist the health practitioner apply the relevant legislative requirements to clinical practice and provide the learner with an understanding of the key elements of vaccine safety. The potential adverse events after the administration of a vaccine and the following actions required to ensure community safety and maintain confidence in immunisation programs, will be discussed.

This module presents the requirements for vaccine storage and the national recommendations to enable them to be integrated into practice to ensure vaccines remain potent and effective, and the learner will be introduced to the fundamentals necessary to deliver a high quality and safe immunisation service. Topics include:

  • Legislation
  • Consent
  • Informing individuals
  • Vaccine safety
  • Adverse Events Following Immunisation
  • Adverse reactions
  • Vaccine distribution and cold chain management
  • Delivering an immunisation service

Frequently asked questions

Why is this course needed?

There is a growing need for health professionals providing immunisation services to have ready access to comprehensive and affordable education to maintain the level of knowledge, skills and professionalism required to deliver a safe immunisation service. The increase in the provision of adult and workplace vaccination programs has led to the development of this online education program.

Who should do this course?

Health professionals involved in the discussion or delivery of adult or occupational vaccination programs will benefit from this course.

Is there support available during the course?

Clinical support about the content of the course is available by phone Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00 pm (Australian Central Standard Time) from a team of immunisation nurse experts. Emails can be sent anytime, and a response will be provided by the next business day.

Technical support is available through an online helpdesk. You can submit a request 24/7 however the technical experts at Digital Media are only able to respond Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (Australian Central Standard Time).

Are resources provided?

All resources required throughout the course are provided electronically.