7.4: Vaccinators

7.4: Authorised vaccinators

Authorised vaccinators are health professionals who can legally administer vaccines that are part of an approved immunisation programme without a prescription or standing order.

Standard - what we'll be assessing on Evidence to provide for assessment

Practice team members responsible for performing immunisations on the National Schedule hold current vaccination authorisation.

  • Documented current vaccination authorisations from Medical Officer of Health. 
  • Standing orders for those vaccinating outside the jurisdiction of vaccinator authorisation or with pending vaccinator authorisation.

Authorised vaccinators

Authorised vaccinators are health professionals who can legally administer vaccines that are part of an approved immunisation programme without a prescription or standing order.

Authorised vaccinators can only independently administer vaccines that are part of an approved immunisation programme. These can either be national immunisation programmes approved by the Ministry of Health, such as the National Immunisation Schedule, or local immunisation programmes approved by the local Medical Officer of Health for a specific region.

Although it is preferable that all vaccinators become authorised, there will be circumstances when standing orders are needed for team members working towards vaccine authorisation. These may include new team members, locums, and agency nurses.