Health professional resources

1. Policy

The Department of Health is responsible for developing vaccination policy, based on recommendations from the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI), Membership of JCVI includes representatives from all Devolved Administrations.

Policy documents on vaccinations can be found on the DoH website here

2. The Green Book

PHE Immunization against infectious diseases known as The Green Book is the definitive advice for vaccination policy.

3. Immunisation Training

The National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training for Registered Healthcare Practitioners, February 2018, provide minimum standards and the core curriculum for health professionals requiring training in vaccinations.

Immunisation documents previously published by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have now been incorporated into this document. The Public Health Agency endorses the advice and recommendations provided.

4. E-learning

The e-learning for health (e-lfh) general immunisation modules provide training for many of the standards outlined in the National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training for Registered Healthcare Practitioners:

  • Immunology & Assessment 
  • Communicating with patients, parents and carers 
  • Legal Aspects & Assessment
  • Vaccine Storage & Assessment 
  • Vaccine Administration & Assessment 

Health professionals working in Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland can access e-lfh immunisation modules with their hscni.net email address.

5. Patient Group Directives

The PHA and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) PGD Development Group have adapted Public Health England national PGDs for use in Northern Ireland, with their permission. They can be used to facilitate the delivery of Immunizations in HSC, in line with national recommendations.

Currently PGDs for Regional Immunisation Programmes are accessed on the HSCB Integrated Care or Trust Intranet websites.

6. Guidance on Vaccine handling and storage in primary care

The PHA and HSCB have jointly produced regional guidance for General Practices for safe and effective handling and storage of vaccines and is available here.  

7. Resources to assist health professionals in vaccination of those who have been vaccinated in another country or who’s vaccinations in uncertain

Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status, Public Health England, one-page summary to help health professionals vaccinate people correctly to protect them and their families from disease.

United Kingdom and international immunisation schedules comparison tool, Public Health England, to help health professionals ascertain vaccines individuals moving aboard may have received.

Vaccine schedules in all countries of the European Union, European Centre of Disease Control, an interactive tool that shows vaccination schedules for EU/EEA countries.

WHO link on vaccine programmes

Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Interpreting Service (NIHSCIS), Business Support Organisation

Translated immunisation invitation letters, Public Health Agency