Health professional resources
Use the menu below to access the information on vaccination programmes, guidelines, publications and training materials for health professionals.
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.
The Green Book
PHE Immunization against infectious diseases known as The Green Book is the definitive advice for vaccination policy.
Flu vaccination programme 2024-25 (training)
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.
Vaccine programmes information for healthcare professionals
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Vaccine type |
Information for healthcare professionals |
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General professional information |
Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status PHA immunisation resources for health professionals |
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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 |
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Pre-school immunisations (aged 2–4 years) Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MMR |
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Immunisations for 12–13 year olds Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MenACWY, MMR, HPV |
Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers |
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MenACWY |
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Men B |
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Pertussis (whooping cough) Includes: Infants, pre-school aged children and pregnant women |
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Rotavirus |
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Targeted programmes |
Information for healthcare professionals |
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BCG (tuberculosis) |
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Hepatitis B Includes: Universal hepatitis B programme and hepatitis B vaccine for at risk babies |
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Influenza (flu) Includes: Children, adults, pregnant women and healthcare workers |
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HPV vaccine Includes: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) |
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Pregnant women Includes: Flu, pertussis, MMR, hepatitis B and syphilis advice |
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Shingles |
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Splenectomy Includes: MenACWY, pneumococcal, flu |
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Travel vaccines (National |
NATHNAC support for those providing health information to people going travelling |
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.
Targeted programmes (COVID-19 booster, COVID-19 & Flu programme)
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.
Resources to assist health professionals in vaccination of those who have been vaccinated in another country or who’s vaccinations in uncertain
Managing incomplete immunisation histories using UKHSA algorithm training video and presentation PHA incomplete vaccination slides.
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
Translated immunisation invitation letters, Public Health Agency
Measles awareness session
Measles Awareness Session provides guidance and information to promote and educate around Measles, MMR and the catch-up campaign.
Measles Cases Europe A 30-fold rise of measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region warrants urgent action
Measles Cases Europe Measles on the rise in the EU/EEA - 16 February 2024 (europa.eu)).
Measles cases England - National Measles Standard Incident - measles epidemiology (from October 2023) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Measles cases NI - Measles | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
Preschool vaccination programme factsheets and training
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)
RSV vaccination (publications and training materials)
Training materials:
- RSV vaccination training slides_maternal programme for infant protection 08.2024
- RSV vaccination training slides_adult programme 08.24
RSV publications:
- Your guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
- Protect your baby from RSV bronchiolitis with your RSV vaccine from week 28 of your pregnancy | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
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.