Provisional vaccinator option for people awaiting authorised vaccinator assessments

15 September 2021 Tēna koutou, This year we have seen incredible enthusiasm from our health workforce for the COVID-19 vaccination programme. This includes more than 10,000 people who have undertaken vaccination training so they can be part of our COVID-19 vaccine rollout. We have been heartened by this response and remain extremely grateful to these professionals for their commitment and support.

The high demand for vaccinator training has, particularly during lockdowns, generated increased pressure on the availability of clinical assessments – the final step in achieving approval as a full ‘authorised vaccinator’.

To support the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the Ministry is now allowing health care professionals who have completed IMAC’s vaccinator foundation course to apply to become a provisional vaccinator as an alternative option.

This means people who have undergone full vaccinator training, who can’t book a timely clinical assessment through an Immunisation Coordinator, can instead undertake a peer assessment and apply for authorisation as a’ provisional vaccinator’ if they would like to vaccinate with a limited scope in the interim. Once their clinical assessment has been successfully completed in the future they can apply to become a full ‘authorised vaccinator’.

See below for further details about how this works.

Ngā mihi nui, COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Team Further details about how this works What is a provisional vaccinator?

Provisional vaccinators can administer MMR and flu vaccines, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine if they complete IMAC’s COVID-19 vaccine education course. The role was created in 2020 to support health workforces under pressure as a result of the COVID-19 response.

How to apply People who have completed the IMAC vaccinator foundation course and who would like to apply to become a provisional vaccinator should: • Discuss this with their employer, noting the limited scope of the provisional vaccinator role • Complete the peer assessment required of provisional vaccinators

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Email their provisional vaccinator application form and all required documentation to vaccinatorauthorisations@health.govt.nz

What happens next?

Authorisation as a provisional vaccinator is valid for two years from the date of authorisation.

All vaccinators are required to maintain current training. This will likely mean refreshing their vaccinator training prior to provisional vaccinator authorisation expiring.

People may choose at a later time to pursue full vaccinator authorisation, when access to clinical assessments increases.

As per the immunisation handbook 4.1.2.2 [4], if it has been more than 12 months but less than 24 months since the applicant completed a full vaccinator foundation course, they should complete an online update prior to the clinical assessment.

Key messages Limited availability of assessments Before becoming a fully authorised vaccinator, candidates must undertake and pass a clinical assessment. Unfortunately, due to high demand for these assessments, particularly during lockdown, some potential vaccinators are finding it difficult to complete this requirement.

The number of assessors and availability of assessments for fully authorised vaccinators is unique to each DHB. Option to apply to become a provisional vaccinator To support the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the Ministry is now allowing health care professionals who have completed IMAC’s vaccinator foundation course to apply to become a provisional vaccinator.

People who have undergone full vaccinator training but can’t book a timely clinical assessment through an Immunisation Coordinator can instead undertake a peer assessment and apply for authorisation as a provisional vaccinator if they would like to begin vaccinating.

Provisional vaccinators can only administer MMR and influenza vaccines, plus the COVID-19 vaccine if they provide their IMAC COVID19 vaccine education course certificate.

How to apply People who have completed the IMAC vaccinator foundation course and who would like to apply to become a provisional vaccinator should: • Discuss this with their employer, noting the limited scope of the provisional vaccinator role • Complete the peer assessment required of provisional vaccinators

•

Submit their provisional vaccinator application form and all required documentation to vaccinatorauthorisations@health.govt.nz

What happens next?

Authorisation as a provisional vaccinator is valid for two years from the date of authorisation.

All vaccinators are required to maintain current training. This will likely mean refreshing their vaccinator training prior to provisional vaccinator authorisation expiring.

People may choose at a later time to pursue full vaccinator authorisation, when access to clinical assessments increases.

As per the immunisation handbook 4.1.2.2 [4], if it has been more than 12 months but less than 24 months since the applicant completed a vaccinator foundation course, they should complete an online update prior to the clinical assessment.

Newsletter blurb Vaccinator training options The huge uptake in vaccinator training has resulted in high demand for clinical assessments (needed to complete full ‘authorised vaccinator’ accreditation). An alternative option for people who have completed their training and can’t access a timely assessment, is to become a ‘provisional vaccinator’. Having done this, and upon attaining IMAC’s COVID-19 vaccine certificate, these people will then be able to safely deliver the COVID-19 vaccine and join the national vaccine rollout effort to protect our whanau and community. To find out more about what’s involved, please email vaccinatorauthorisations@health.govt.nz or contact your local immunisation coordinator.

Ngā mihi

Angela Paul l Manager Health System Engagement COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme 027 240 7066 Manatū Hauora l Ministry of Health www.moh.govt.nz