Immunisation Foundation Training

This two-day foundation course follows the guidance set out by Public Health England (2018). It is designed to equip practitioners who are new to immunisation with the appropriate level of knowledge so that they can confidently, competently, safely and effectively promote and administer vaccinations. This course covers all scheduled vaccine programmes, so it is possible that attendees may receive information that is not directly relevant to their specific area of immunisation practice.

Practitioners are expected to have identified a mentor/buddy in their own practice area who can support them over period of supervised practice. This should be a registered healthcare practitioner who is themselves experienced, up to date and competent in immunisation.

Who is it for?

This foundation course is for practitioners who are new to their role in delivering the UK national immunisation programme (it does not cover travel vaccines). However those who have been out of Immunisation practice for some time and require more than an update will also be considered.

Timetable

The next intake will be June 10th-11th 2026. Please click on the 'book now' to make an application.

Benefits

Completion of the two-day foundation course equips attendees with the required immunisation related knowledge to their practice areas.

A certificate of attendance is awarded upon completion of the course, which can contribute to any CPD/revalidation activities.

This two-day foundation course covers the following areas:

1. The aims of immunisation, national vaccine policy and schedules
2. The immune response to vaccines and how vaccines work
3. Vaccine preventable diseases
4. The different types of vaccines, their composition and the indications and contraindications
5. Current issues in immunisation
6. Communicating with patients, parents and carers about vaccines
7. Legal issues in immunisation
8. Storage and handling of vaccines
9. Correct administration of vaccines
10. Anaphylaxis and adverse reactions
11. Documentation, record keeping and reporting
12. Strategies for optimising immunisation uptake

Please note that this course does not cover travel vaccines.

There is no formal assessment during the course, but attendees are expected to assess their own knowledge and competency as required. Details are given during the course.

This course is provided by the School of Health & Psychological Sciences.

To support and consolidate learning from this course, practitioners may want to access the modules on immunisation available from Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare website : https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/immunisation/

Following completion of this course, Public Health England (2018) recommend that practitioners attend annual update training

This foundation course is for practitioners who are new to their role in delivering the UK national immunisation programme (it does not cover travel vaccines). However those who have been out of Immunisation practice for some time and require more than an update will also be considered.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.

The following are key resources for all immunisers and feature prominently in the course. These resources are also valuable resources to support practitioners in their immunisation practice:

• UK Health Security Agency (2024) Immunisation against infectious disease (the Green Book). Available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book
• UK Health Security Agency (2024) Immunisation. Available online: Immunisation - GOV.UK

University of Oxford (2024) Vaccine Knowledge. Available online: Home | Vaccine Knowledge Project