Overview
The Primary Certificate of Immunization & Vaccination equips medical practitioners with an understanding of the use of vaccines to induce immunity in children, adults and travelers, 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 immunization schedule for travelers, including how to determine travelers' individual risk to common illnesses.
The course will enable you to safely provide immunizations and vaccinations in your practice based on an evidence-based strategy to improve patient outcomes, centred on a step-wise approach.
Topic Covered
- Childhood vaccination
- Adult vaccination
- Travel immunization schedules
Gain an understanding of the use of vaccines to induce immunity in children, adults, travelers, and against Covid-19.
This course will enable you to safely provide immunizations and vaccinations in your practice, built on an evidence-based strategy to improve patient outcomes, and centred on a step-wise approach focusing on vaccine effectiveness, limitations, and side effects.
- Explore 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.
- Learn how to develop an immunization schedule for travelers, including how to determine travelers' individual risk to common illnesses.
- It is perfect for practitioners with no to little training or as a refresher course in vaccinations.
- This CPD-accredited course is for medical doctors and International Medical Graduates.
Course Benefits
- Provide age- and condition-appropriate vaccines to protect children against life-threatening diseases.
- Safeguard adults from preventable illnesses such as influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19.
- Address the unique needs of immunocompromised or high-risk patients with special vaccines, like Hepatitis A & B, HPV, and meningococcal.
- Conduct risk assessments and assist patients with vaccinations for travel.
Get unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support, and more.
Course Contents
Childhood Vaccination
This module commences with an overview of vaccines focusing on active (natural or acquired) immunization and includes passive immunization. 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.
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.
Travel Immunization Schedules
This module begins with emphasizing 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 immunized. 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.
Study Modes
100% Online
Study at your own pace and to your own schedule.
- View and replay video lectures at your convenience.
- Participate in online case discussions with your peers.
- Participate in a course webinar prior to the examinations and ask questions.
- Complete your assessment online and receive your CPD hours and certificate.
HealthCert 365
Easily meet your CPD requirements and gain valuable skills – all in one place for $83 per month.
- Customize your learning experience by accessing and focusing only on course modules that interest you the most.
- Gain access to 200+ additional CPD activities and 50-hour special focus CPD programs, sourced from all HealthCert university-assured programs.
Pre- and Post-Course Information
Entry requirements & Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)
The Primary Certificate of Immunization & Vaccination is for medical practitioners who wish to provide immunizations 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.
Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)
Professionally recognized qualifications and prior studies may be recognized 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.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Primary Certificate of Immunization & Vaccination, and CPD hours.
This certificate course:
- Is a self-submitted activity for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
- Is a self-submitted activity for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
- Is recognized by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognizes all courses
- endorsed by the RACGP. Points are calculated differently.
- Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
- Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.
To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit HealthCert's FAQs.
Providers Terms
Course Transfers
Face to Face Courses
Course transfers for Face to Face practical workshops are available, subject to requests being received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to workshop commencement. Transfer requests received after 10 business days prior to workshop commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Transfers will be subject to availability in the future workshops. If the future workshop has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the transfer request.
One workshop transfer, per course is allowed. Further transfers will be considered upon application and may be charged at 25% of a full new workshop booking rate.
Online Courses
Transfers for Online courses are available subject to requests being received, in writing, within 7 days of enrolment. Transfer requests received after the 7 days post enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $200. One course transfer request, per course is allowed.
If the future course being transferred to, has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the course transfer request.
Online Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation and a full refund of the course fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Upon cancellation and full refund of the course enrolment, you will not receive a certificate or accreditation points.
Bundle Courses
Courses purchased as part of a bundle attract a discount. This discount is apportioned to the final course in the bundle in the cases of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, cancellation and refund requests of a course that have been purchased as part of a bundle are refunded based on the first and/or second course being charged at the full price rate. Any courses remaining in the bundle can be refunded provided the request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Tickets:
Course Fee$293| Contact Hours: | 30.0 hrs |
| Format: | Online Lectures |
| Duration: | Multiple Days |
| Lecture Videos | |
| Compatability: | All Devices |
| Language: | English |
| Subtitles: | Not Available |
| Provider: | HealthCert Education |
| Contact: |
Speaker(s):
 | Prof. Melissa MartinezMD |
- 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 Specialty 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.
 | Dr. Vaishali BhaleraoMBBS, MD, DGO, FRANZCOG, Doctor, 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.
 | Dr. Evangelia FrancisFRACGP, MBBS, BSci (Neuroscience), DCH, DRCOG, General practitioner |
Dr Evangelia (Valia) 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.
