Health professional resources

Health professionals can access key information about vaccination programmes, guidelines, publications, and training materials using the sections below.

Vaccination policy

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

  • Policy documents: available on the Department of Health website.
  • The Green Book: Immunisation against infectious diseases (commonly known as the Green Book) provides authoritative guidance on vaccination policy and practice.

Training and programme resources

Vaccine programmes guidance, resources, special cases

General professional information 

Childhood vaccination programmes

Immunisations for infants (aged under 1 year) and children (aged 1–2 years)

  • Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, Hib, MMR, Men B, Men C, pneumococcal, rotavirus, BCG, influenza
  • Resources: Childhood immunisation programme

Pre-school immunisations (aged 2–4 years)

  • Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MMR

Immunisations for 12–13 year olds

Specific vaccine information

MenACWY 

Men B 

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Rotavirus

Targeted programmes

BCG (tuberculosis) 

Hepatitis B

Influenza (flu)

HPV vaccine

  • Includes: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)

Pregnant women

  • Includes: Flu, pertussis, MMR, hepatitis B and syphilis advice

Shingles

Splenectomy

Travel vaccines (National Travel and Health Network, Travax)

Vaccination guidance for special cases

Guidance for health professional in cases of patients vaccinated in other countries or with uncertain vaccination history.

Flu vaccination programme 2024-25, Preschool

Flu vaccination programme 2024-25

Preschool vaccination programme

Routine childhood immunisation programme poster

Childhood immunisations: general guidance information on delivery

PHA Immunisation training slides:

  • Hexavalent Combination Vaccine (6 in 1) Diptheria,Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B and Hepatitis B(DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) 
  • Rotavirus Vaccine
  • Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
  • Meningococcal B and C Vaccines
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
  • DTaP/IPV Booster Vaccine (preschool booster)

PHA Health Professional factsheets:

  • Hexavalent DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB Combination Vaccine (6 in 1)
  • Rotavirus Vaccine factsheet for Healthcare professionals (Immunisation)
  • Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
  • Meningococcal B immunization Programme- Factsheet for Healthcare professionals
  • MMR Vaccine advice
  • DTaP/IPV Booster Vaccines (preschool booster)

Targeted programmes: COVID-19 boosters, combined COVID-19 and flu, RSV

COVID-19 boosters

PHA Covid-19 vaccination for children training slides 27.09.24

PHA Covid vaccination training slides 27.09.24

Operational update on COVID-19 booster for 16 & 17 yr olds 2024-25

Combined COVID-19 and flu

Covid-19, flu programme delivery model planning letter Autumn 2024-25

RSV 

Publications and training materials:

Training materials:


RSV publications:

Specialised training and learning (HPV, measles, pregnancy)

Webinars (HPV, measles - parental, teachers, and the pregnancy)

Covering topics such as measles, pregnancy, parental guidance, and teacher focus resources.

Teachers webinars

 

  • Measles Awareness Session provides guidance and information to promote and educate around Measles, MMR and the catch-up campaign.

Pregnancy webinars

Parental webinars 

Patient Group Directives (PGDs)

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.

E-learning modules

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.

Standards and core curriculum for 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.

Storage and handling

Vaccine handling and storage guidance for primary care settings.

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

Social media resources

Access social media resources for vaccination programmes pages to promote vaccination programmes on your channels.

Use the social media assets and messaging below to spread awareness and promote vaccination programmes running in Northern Ireland.  

Check Public Health Agency's social media channels, subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest vaccination programme campaigns:  

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