Key messages
- Pharmacists and intern pharmacists must complete an 'Immuniser program of study' that is available for completion by pharmacists.
- Pharmacists who have completed immunisation training interstate (that is not a recognised ‘Immuniser program of study’ in Victoria) must complete a ‘bridging training program’ before immunising in Victoria.
- Pharmacist immunisers and intern pharmacists immunisers must successfully complete any mandated training modules for vaccines that are not included within a recognised immuniser program of study prior to administering these vaccines.
The Victorian Chief Health Officer has recognised a number of 'Immuniser programs of study', and now a bridging pathway for pharmacist immunisers transitioning to practice in Victoria.
Pharmacists and intern pharmacists who have not completed any immunisation training previously must complete an 'Immuniser program of study' that is available for pharmacists and has been recognised by the Victorian Chief Health Officer in order to become recognised as a pharmacist immuniser.
A ‘bridging training program’ should be completed by pharmacists who:
- have completed an interstate immunisation training program not recognised in Victoria;
- are needing to refresh their immunisation knowledge and skills; or
- need to understand the Victorian legislative requirements and the authorised vaccines for administration by pharmacist immunisers
to ensure that they meet the Victorian pharmacist immuniser training requirements.
Recognised programs of study provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the role of an immuniser in Victoria and assist them to develop the knowledge and clinical skills required to safely deliver an immunisation service.
Immuniser programs of study
APPIMM806 – Manage the delivery and administration of injections and immunisations: or
Victorian Pharmacist Immunisation Training Program
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
381 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052
Email: vic.branch@psa.org.au
Tel: 03 9389 4000
Fax: 03 9389 4044
Website: Immunisation
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Immunisation Course, or:
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Immunisation Course - VIC
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria
40 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Email: training@vic.guild.org.au
Tel: 03 9810 9999
Fax: 03 9819 2542
Website: Immunisation courses - The Pharmacy Guild of
Monash University Vaccination Training Program (MUVTP)
Monash University Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052
Email: steven.walker@monash.edu
Tel: (03) 9903 9047
Bridging training programs
Immunisation online refresher course
See above for Pharmaceutical Society of Australia contact details.
Website: Immunisation online refresher
Other training requirements
Japanese encephalitis training program
Pharmacist immunisers and intern pharmacist immunisers who are administering Japanese encephalitis vaccines to persons recommended for vaccination in Victoria must first complete the Japanese encephalitis eLearning module that has been approved by the Deputy Chief Health Officer – Communicable Disease. The module is free and available at the Victorian Immunisation Learning .
Mpox training program
Pharmacist immunisers and intern pharmacist immunisers who are administering the mpox (monkeypox) vaccine to persons recommended for vaccination in Victoria must first complete the Mpox (monkeypox) eLearning module that has been approved by the Deputy Chief Health Officer – Communicable Disease. The module is free and available at the Victorian Immunisation Learning .
Respiratory syncytial virus immunisation training and competency requirements
Training may be required for pharmacist immunisers and intern pharmacist immunisers prior to administering certain respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. Immunisers must complete any additional training and competency requirements as listed on the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation the at the time of administration.
Supervisory requirements
Pharmacist immunisers who are supervising intern pharmacist immunisers must also have completed any required training as included above, or as specified on the Department of Health’s webpages for Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation or COVID-19 vaccine, before supervising the administration of that immunisation.
Paediatric training
In recognition of the additional clinical and communication skills required to administer vaccines to younger children, it is strongly recommended that pharmacist immunisers and intern pharmacist immunisers who vaccinate children from 5 years of age undertake continuing professional development in paediatric immunisation.
Additional training modules and refresher training are available through organisations such as the Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre , the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Reviewed 24 April 2024