The Federal Government have launched online training modules to be completed by the additional vaccine workforce needed to meet demand for COVID-19 vaccines.
The modules have been developed by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) in partnership with the Federal Government and will be required to be undertaken before administering the vaccine.
Interested nurses and midwives must already have immunisation qualifications and confirmation from their employer that they will be a vaccination provider before accessing the training.
Core modules cover:
- COVID-19 introduction
- Handling and storage
- Multi-dose vial (MDV) training
- Documentation and reporting
- Safety and surveillance monitoring and reporting adverse events following immunisation
Additional modules include training for specific vaccines, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novavax and any new vaccines.
A further three e-Learning Competency modules have been developed by the Victorian Government to complement the Commonwealth training for some clinical staff. These modules will also need to be completed by registered nurses (who are not nurse immunisers or nurse practitioners), midwives and enrolled nurses (emergency authorised workforce).
Roll out of the Pfizer vaccine is due to commence on 22 February, while AstraZeneca shipments are expected in early March and will be administered as part of a three-phase national vaccination roll-out strategy.
With a large workforce required to vaccinate the populace, ANMF (Vic Branch) is assisting the Victorian Department of Health with extra workforce capacity. View COVID-19 Newsflash #33: COVID-19 vaccination workforce for details and vaccination workforce FAQs.
