COURSE OVERVIEW

The Primary Certificate of Immunisation & Vaccination equips medical practitioners with an understanding of the use of vaccines to induce immunity in children, adults and travellers, and against Covid-19, with a focus on vaccine effectiveness, limitations and side effects.

Delivered by leading experts in the field, the online course explores appropriate vaccine strategies for children and adults (with application to patient cases), as well as the implications of the Covid-19 vaccine for GP practice. You will also learn how to develop an immunisation schedule for travellers, including how to determine travellers’ individual risk to common illnesses.

The course will enable you to safely provide immunisations and vaccinations in your practice based on an evidence-based strategy to improve patient outcomes, centred on a step-wise approach.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE REQUISITES

This course is for medical practitioners who wish to provide immunisations and vaccinations for adults and children with a focus on patient safety based on a step-wise approach.

This course is for physicians and degree-qualified health professionals. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field. Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

COURSE CONTENTS

  • Childhood vaccination
  • Adult vaccination
  • Travel immunisation schedules

Course participants will:

  • Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts.
  • Participate in discussion of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions.
  • Have all presentation slides available for download.
  • Participate in course webinar prior to the examinations and ask questions.
  • Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.
  • Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review

MODULES & TOPICS

This module commences with an overview of vaccines focusing on active (natural or acquired) immunisation and includes passive immunisation. Vaccines contain antigens which stimulate an active immune response and mimics the host’s response to natural infection. Legal standards on testing, manufacture and vaccine production are mentioned. Vaccine components and the various types of antigens and how they work are outlined. The vaccine administration is discussed together with safety, efficacy, effectiveness, vaccine failure, adverse events and contraindications and includes recommendations for age and condition appropriate vaccines for children. Vaccines for BCG, Hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diptheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, rotavirus, MMR, varicella, meningococcal disease, HPV and influenza are discussed including dosage rates, delivery mode, contraindications and adverse effects. The module concludes with the principles for catch-up vaccinations.

This module focusses on commonly recommended vaccines for adults including influenza, pertussis tetanus, diptheria, pneumococcal, varicella/shingles and Covid 19. Special circumstance vaccines discussed includes Hepatitis A & B, HPV, meningococcal, catch-up on childhood and travel. The various composition types of influenza vaccine are discussed including higher dose or adjuvanted for adults over 65. Pneumococcal symptoms are listed together with the different types of vaccines including the conjugated vaccines. Clinical trials, graphs and statistics are provided.

The various composition types for the shingles vaccine are explained including the varicella, HSV subunit and attenuated vaccines. Age guides for administration are discussed across different countries. The module then moves to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccines (often combined into one shot), and information on the formulation of these vaccines. Vaccines during pregnancy are discussed. Hepatitis A, B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines are discussed in detail including appropriate dosing and considers patients who are immunocompromised and/or high risk.

The module concludes with discussion on the Covid 19 virus and the current vaccines - either inactivated or fractionated vaccines. mRNA and vector-based vaccines are discussed. Side effect symptoms, adverse effects and the future for Covid-19 vaccines are discussed.

This module begins with emphasising that individual risk assessment is the key when determining travel vaccine requirements including the purpose of travel and intended activities. Information including past medical and vaccine history and personal details is required. Routine childhood and adult vaccinations, required vaccinations for specific countries and recommended vaccinations are detailed. Unit two focusses on yellow fever, meningococcal disease and poliomyelitis. Unit three focusses on cholera, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and who should get immunised. Unit four focusses on Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningococcus and tuberculosis and includes risk and prevention factors, delivery mode and recommended vaccinations. The module concludes with an overview of malaria, prophylaxis, mosquito bite prevention and vaccine options and administration guides.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Childhood vaccination

This module commences with an overview of vaccines focusing on active (natural or acquired) immunisation and includes passive immunisation. Vaccines contain antigens which stimulate an active immune response and mimics the host’s response to natural infection. Legal standards on testing, manufacture and vaccine production are mentioned. Vaccine components and the various types of antigens and how they work are outlined. The vaccine administration is discussed together with safety, efficacy, effectiveness, vaccine failure, adverse events and contraindications and includes recommendations for age and condition appropriate vaccines for children. Vaccines for BCG, Hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diptheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, rotavirus, MMR, varicella, meningococcal disease, HPV and influenza are discussed including dosage rates, delivery mode, contraindications and adverse effects. The module concludes with the principles for catch-up vaccinations.

Module 2: Adult vaccination

This module focusses on commonly recommended vaccines for adults including influenza, pertussis tetanus, diptheria, pneumococcal, varicella/shingles and Covid 19. Special circumstance vaccines discussed includes Hepatitis A & B, HPV, meningococcal, catch-up on childhood and travel. The various composition types of influenza vaccine are discussed including higher dose or adjuvanted for adults over 65. Pneumococcal symptoms are listed together with the different types of vaccines including the conjugated vaccines. Clinical trials, graphs and statistics are provided.

The various composition types for the shingles vaccine are explained including the varicella, HSV subunit and attenuated vaccines. Age guides for administration are discussed across different countries. The module then moves to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccines (often combined into one shot), and information on the formulation of these vaccines. Vaccines during pregnancy are discussed. Hepatitis A, B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines are discussed in detail including appropriate dosing and considers patients who are immunocompromised and/or high risk.

The module concludes with discussion on the Covid 19 virus and the current vaccines - either inactivated or fractionated vaccines. mRNA and vector-based vaccines are discussed. Side effect symptoms, adverse effects and the future for Covid-19 vaccines are discussed.

Module 3: Travel immunisation schedules

This module begins with emphasising that individual risk assessment is the key when determining travel vaccine requirements including the purpose of travel and intended activities. Information including past medical and vaccine history and personal details is required. Routine childhood and adult vaccinations, required vaccinations for specific countries and recommended vaccinations are detailed. Unit two focusses on yellow fever, meningococcal disease and poliomyelitis. Unit three focusses on cholera, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and who should get immunised. Unit four focusses on Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningococcus and tuberculosis and includes risk and prevention factors, delivery mode and recommended vaccinations. The module concludes with an overview of malaria, prophylaxis, mosquito bite prevention and vaccine options and administration guides.

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COURSE FEES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

UPFRONT PAYMENT

Single course

$1,795

Two-Course Bundle*

$3,410

Three-Course Bundle*

$4,840
*Special rates for upfront registrations for multiple courses within the same pathway.
DEFERRED PAYMENT

Single course 

$640 x 3 

Two-Course Bundle

$605 x 6

Three-Course Bundle

$645 x 8 
 Defer your payments over several months.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AVAILABLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

GP REGISTRARS: Doctors in training who are on a pathway to General Practice Registration through a recognised training provider receive a HealthCert Scholarship and save $500 on face-to-face certificate courses (two-day practical workshops) and $300 on online and hybrid certificate courses (one-day practical workshop with supporting online theory). This offer cannot be used in conjunction with the Early Bird special.

Meet Your Instructors

Your instructors are noted specialists in immunisation and vaccination.
Melissa Martinez _Circle

Prof Melissa Martinez

Professor Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico

Medical Director, UNM Health COVID Vaccines at the Pit

Vaccine Science Fellowship, American Academy of Family Physicians

Professor Melissa Martinez is Medical Director at UNM Health COVID Vaccines at the Pit; Medical Director at Locum Tenens and Speciality Extension Services, UNM Group; and Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico.

Prof Martinez received Honorable Mention for the “Immunization Neighborhood Adult Immunization Champion Award” at the 2018 National Adult Immunization and Influenza Summit.

She very regularly presents at immunisation conferences and has published multiple research articles on the topic.

Vaishali Bhalerao

Dr Vaishali Bhalerao

Royal Hobart Hospital

Beginning her medical career in Mumbai, India, Dr Vaishali Bhalerao has 22 years of knowledge and experience to impart. She completed her master's degree and went on to establish her own private practice, which she ran successfully for 15 years. During this period she also worked as Associate Professor in a state government hospital.

Before coming to Australia, Dr Bhalerao worked in one of the NHS hospital in the UK and since arriving in Australia in 2011 she has worked in various hospitals in Tasmania and Victoria including Mercy Werribee Hospital and Sunshine Hospital.

Valia Francis-2

Dr Evangelia Francis

Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery

Bachelor in Sciences (First class Honours in Neuroscience)

Diploma in Child Health

Diploma of the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Diploma of Family Planning & Sexual Health

Dr Evangelia (Valia) Francis is a GP. Dr Francis enjoys all aspects of General Practice but is especially interested in skin medicine, women's health and medicine of the elderly.

Originally from the coastal town of Kavala in Greece, Dr Francis is involved in teaching medical students as a Conjoint Lecturer in the Rural Medical School of Port Macquarie as well as teaching registrars. It is a very fulfilling aspect of her work that has been greatly inspired and supported by the senior educators at her practice.

When not at work, Dr Francis tries to fight waves with surf or paddle boards (so far they always win!), is training hard to become the next MasterChef winner, and enjoys reading books and learning new languages.

COURSE DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

The Primary Certificate of Immunisation & Vaccination is delivered fully online. The course consists of three modules and includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making.

There are review questions provided at the end of every module to ensure understanding, as well as patient case scenarios for every module to ensure application and safe practice.

Assessment includes the following as mandatory submissions:

  • Pre- and post-course activities
  • Three sets of module review questions
  • Three sets of patient case scenarios

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Primary Certificate of Immunisation & Vaccination and below points. To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

RACGP CPD Accredited Activity 40 CPD points.
ACRRM PDP hours: 17 Educational activity, 7 Performance review

 

This primary certificate:
  • Is quality-assured by Bond University.
  • Is a self-submitted activity for CPD points from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  • Is a self-submitted activity for points from the Australian Council of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses
    endorsed by the RACGP. Points are calculated differently.
  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
  • Has been independently developed with subject specialists and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

Fast-track your studies and receive financial credit into further courses

Complete the Primary Certificate as a standalone course or continue onto the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management.

Upon completion of this Primary Certificate, you will receive partial Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and cost savings towards the Professional Certificate course which is stage one of the three-part Professional Diploma program in Medical Nutrition Management, quality-assured by Bond University.

The full program consists of the Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management.
Quality assured by
Bond University horizontal