The QHIP (Queensland Health Immunisation Program) Immunisation Courses have been developed by immunisation experts from QHIP and the Cunningham Centre to increase training and education of immunisation service providers to improve service delivery.
The free, self-paced and interactive courses are easy to use and will help immunisation service providers maintain and enhance their skills in providing immunisation services and to stay abreast with changing vaccination programs and requirements. The courses are designed for general education purposes and do not lead to authorisation as an Immunisation Program Nurse (IPN).
The QHIP Online Immunisation Courses are designed for anyone involved in directly administering, managing, or receiving vaccines, and consists of four comprehensive online courses that deliver more than 14 hours of education.
Course 1 | Vaccine development and safety
In this online course you will learn about the immune system and how vaccines work in the body. The course also contains information about the history of vaccines and their importance in reducing vaccine preventable diseases. You will also learn about vaccine development, safety and ongoing surveillance, the components that make up vaccines, and how to respond to concerns of vaccine hesitant patients. View the course 1 flyer to find out more.
Course 2 | The National Immunisation Program (NIP)
In this online course you will learn about the National Immunisation Program, and the Queensland schedule. You will learn about the routine vaccination of infants, young children, adolescents, and older people; vaccination for special-risk groups - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those with special vaccination requirements (people who are immunocompromised, pregnant women, preterm infants, and refugees). The course will also provide you with information to assist with planning catch-up vaccination and use of the National due and overdue rules. View the course 2 flyer to find out more.
Course 3 | Vaccine preparation and adminsitration
In this online course you will learn about pre-vaccination screening, how to prepare and administer vaccines, and how to care for patients post vaccination, including how to record and report vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The course also contains information to equip you with the knowledge to recognise and respond to adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). View the course 3 flyer to find out more.
Course 4 | Vaccine management
This online course provides an overview of the importance of correct vaccine management in clinical settings from ordering to receiving vaccines, managing stock, maintaining cold chain, and taking immediate actions in a cold chain breach. You will learn about the roles and responsibilities of immunisation service providers in maintaining cold chain and about best practice risk management strategies to protect vaccines from a cold chain breach. View the course 4 flyer to find out more.
The courses are designed to benefit all immunisation service providers in Queensland, regardless of their levels of skills and knowledge. The courses are recommended for:
General Practititioners (GPs)
practice staff including practice managers, nurses and admin staff
pharmacists
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers
Each course is made up of several modules that contain a series of multiple-choice questions. There is no assessment linked to the modules. The courses are designed for general education purposes and do not lead to authorisation as an IPN.
Access to a reliable internet connection (using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome) and a computer or laptop is required to complete the online courses. Links to resources are provided in each module.
On completion of each online course a Certificate of Completion will electronically be generated, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours are awarded. Please refer to the specific CPD requirements with your employer.
The online courses are easily accessible and available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Please note: you can choose to complete individual courses in any order.
How do I enrol in the online courses?
View the access instructions for guidance on accessing the online courses.
Will the completion of these courses allow me to be an Immunisation Program Nurse?
No, the courses are designed for general education purposes and do not lead to authorisation as an Immunisation Program Nurse (IPN). To find out about the approved course to gain appropriate IPN certification follow the link here.
How do I access the Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination training program?
To access the free online COVID-19 vaccination training program, you need to go here to create a login.
Why did it take me longer to complete the courses than what was indicated on the course descriptions?
The approximate course durations are indicative only and can be seen as a minimum duration. The actual time course participants spend on each module is determined by a number of factors, e.g. current knowledge on the subject, loading times of course depending on the device used and internet speed, as well as personal learning styles.
Who do I contact if I have technical issues with the course?
For technical issues with login and certificate download, email the Cunningham Centre: cunninghamcentre@health.qld.gov.au
Who do I contact for issues with course content or links?
For issues relating to accessing, course content or links, contact: immunisation@health.qld.gov.au
