Vaccination and Immunisations for Beginners 12 and 17 November 2026

This session introduces delegates to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Vaccinator Competency Assessment Workbook and explains how it should be used to assess and document safe vaccination practice.

The workbook provides a structured approach to assessing knowledge, core clinical skills and vaccine administration procedures. Delegates will learn how to complete their self-assessment, identify learning needs, work with a clinical mentor and obtain formal competency sign-off.

This session introduces delegates to the basic principles of the immune system and how vaccines protect individuals against infectious diseases. It explores innate and acquired immunity, active and passive immunity, the role of antibodies and immune memory, and the differences between live attenuated and inactivated vaccines.

The session also explains why some vaccines require multiple doses or boosters, how vaccines contribute to population immunity, and the importance of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases.

Vaccines are both sensitive biological substances and Prescription-Only- Medicines (POMs). This chapter of the greenbook section attached outlines:

• storage requirements for vaccines
• ways of obtaining centrally purchased vaccines
• restrictions on the use of centrally purchased vaccines
• recommendations for stock management
• handling spillages, and
• safe disposal of expired or damaged vaccines

This session provides theoretical learning. Workplace procedures, practical training and competency assessment remain essential for staff responsible for vaccine storage and handling.

This session introduces delegates to the safe storage, handling and management of vaccines in accordance with UKHSA Green Book guidance. It covers maintaining the cold chain, monitoring vaccine refrigerator temperatures, receiving and storing vaccines, stock management and responding appropriately to cold-chain breaches to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness.

This session introduces delegates to the legal, ethical and professional principles of obtaining valid consent before vaccination. It explores informed and voluntary consent, communicating vaccine benefits and risks, assessing capacity, parental responsibility and consent in children and young people.

The session also examines the responsibilities of healthcare support workers, appropriate documentation and the importance of respecting an individual's right to refuse or withdraw consent

This session introduces delegates to the contraindications, precautions and special considerations associated with vaccination. It explores when vaccines should be avoided, temporarily deferred or administered following specialist assessment.

Key topics include previous anaphylactic reactions, vaccine component allergies, immunosuppression, pregnancy, acute illness and common misconceptions about vaccine contraindications. Emphasis is placed on safe pre-vaccination screening, recognising potential risks and escalating concerns appropriately.

This session introduces healthcare professionals to the principles of vaccine safety, recognition of adverse events following immunisation  and the appropriate management of common and serious vaccine-related reactions.

Based on Chapter 8 of the UKHSA Green Book (28 May 2025), the session explores the different classifications of adverse events, common post-vaccination reactions, vaccine administration errors and the importance of providing accurate advice to patients, parents and carers.

Particular emphasis is placed on recognising anaphylaxis, distinguishing it from vasovagal episodes and other non-life-threatening reactions, and understanding the principles of emergency management, including intramuscular adrenaline and escalation procedures.

The session also addresses vaccine safety monitoring, incident reporting and the professional responsibilities of healthcare assistants, support workers and other healthcare professionals involved in immunisation services.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction requiring prompt recognition and emergency treatment. Healthcare professionals involved in vaccination, medicines administration and patient care must be able to identify the early warning signs and respond appropriately.

This session is based on the Resuscitation Council UK Emergency Treatment of Anaphylaxis Guidelines (May 2021) and focuses on recognising anaphylaxis, assessing patients using the ABCDE approach and initiating emergency management.

Delegates will explore the differences between mild allergic reactions, vasovagal episodes and anaphylaxis, alongside the importance of intramuscular adrenaline, appropriate patient positioning, emergency escalation and ongoing monitoring.

This session provides healthcare professionals with an overview of the UKHSA routine immunisation schedule effective from 1 September 2026, highlighting important changes to childhood and adult vaccination programmes.

The session explores recommended vaccines, timing of administration, eligibility criteria and age-specific requirements. Particular emphasis is placed on the introduction of MMRV vaccination, the 18-month childhood immunisation appointment, changes to pneumococcal vaccination and selective immunisation programmes for individuals at increased risk.

Using the latest UKHSA guidance and practical case discussions, delegates will develop their understanding of the national immunisation programme and its application to safe clinical practice.

This session introduces delegates to pneumococcal disease and the importance of vaccination in preventing serious infections, including pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.

It explores the different pneumococcal vaccines used in the UK, routine vaccination programmes for children and older adults, and the importance of protecting individuals with underlying medical conditions.

The session also addresses vaccine safety, contraindications, patient communication and the responsibilities of healthcare support workers in supporting safe immunisation practice.

This session introduces delegates to shingles (herpes zoster), its causes, clinical presentation and potential complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia.

It explores the UK shingles vaccination programme, including the use of the Shingrix vaccine, eligibility criteria for older adults and severely immunosuppressed individuals, recommended dosing schedules and the importance of preventing shingles-related complications.

The session also covers contraindications, precautions, common adverse reactions, patient communication and the responsibilities of healthcare support workers in supporting safe vaccination practice.

This session provides healthcare professionals involved in delivering the seasonal influenza vaccination programme with an evidence-based update on the 2026–2027 UK flu immunisation programme.

The training explores changes to influenza vaccine formulations, including the transition to trivalent vaccines, vaccine selection for different age groups and clinical risk categories, and the latest recommendations for children, pregnant women, older adults and immunocompromised individuals.

The session also addresses contraindications, vaccine administration, informed consent, vaccine safety, medico-legal responsibilities and strategies to improve vaccination uptake.