Overview of HCert (Vacc):

The HCert (Vacc) programme is a basic introductory programme for in-service HCWs who work in EPI-SA and private sector clinics offering infant / childhood vaccination services. HCert (Vacc) is designed to equip HCWs with the theoretical knowledge and practical expertise necessary for running an up-to-date clinic offering infant / childhood vaccination services. HCert (Vacc) introduces students to key concepts in vaccinology, and at the end of the programme students will be knowledgeable about vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccines, vaccination and immunisation, and will be able to apply this knowledge in the practice of vaccine delivery and administration within the framework of EPI-SA.

The programme is divided into 2 blocks consisting of 11 modules over 30 weeks. The duration of the first block is 15 weeks, with a draft Portfolio of Vaccinology Theory and Practice being submitted for Mid-Year Formative Assessment at the end of Week 15. The duration of the second block is 15 weeks and includes practical assignments with formative assessments of practice and a certificate of competence being issued when students have mastered all the techniques. During week 30, students finalise and submit their final Portfolio of Vaccinology Theory and Practice which is used for the End of Year Summative Assessment.

Student selection and registration:

Minimum admission requirements: Registered General Nurse and Midwife with the SA Nursing Council, or a 3 year qualification in a relevant health science (i.e. in which training in vaccinating is included) from a tertiary institution registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Students must register for the academic year at the beginning of the year before the closing date, as specified in the SMU General Calendar.

• Click to download School of Pharmacy Calendar
• SMU Applicants Information Sheet_HCert VACC

To apply, you need access to the internet and a valid email address. Please ensure that you:

1. Complete the Applicant Information Sheet.
2. Complete the application accurately and fully.
3. Write your names the same as they appear in your identity/passport document.
4. Pay the non-refundable application fee of R300.00 and send proof of payment. Use your ID number as reference when making payment.
5. To start the application process, CLICK HERE to start the online application process

Please remember to attach the following certified, scanned documents along with your application form:

1. Applicant Information Sheet.
2. Copy of your ID/passport document.
3. Copy of your Matric Certificate.
4. Tertiary healthcare qualification certificate(s) (Certified Copy) and academic record(s).
5. Copy of your HPCSA/SANC/SAPC registration receipt
6. SAQA evaluation of foreign qualification (If applicable)
7. Copy of your marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable).
8. Curriculum Vitae
9. Reference Letters x2
10. Proof of non-refundable application fee payment of R300.

Banking Details are as follows:

Account name: SMU; Bank name: Standard Bank, Account no.: 071244395 Branch no.: 020909; Ref no.: Your ID/ Passport number/ Student number

Please note:

1. Your application will not be processed if you have not submitted all the required applicable documentation mentioned above.
2. If you have not submitted the required documentation within a period of two months, unfortunately your application will not be considered.
3. The University receives more applications than it can accommodate and meeting admissions requirements does not guarantee admission.
4. Incomplete application forms will not be considered.

Selection criteria: 

Priority will be given to in-service HCWs who are currently working within the field of vaccination, or who are planning to work within this field in the near future. Applicants will be required to write a motivation explaining why they should be accepted for this programme. 5 Recognition of prior learning: Modules 6 to 11 all have practical assignments which are based on vaccination practices. Students who are already competent in vaccination practices and can produce evidence of this competence, will be able to submit this evidence and thus be exempt from completing these assignments. Their supervisor / manager / employer will be required to complete and sign a certificate of practice for each specific task, and these certificates will form part of the Portfolio of Vaccinology Theory and Practice

Duration of study:

The duration of study for the HCert (Vacc) programme is subject to the stipulations under Rules G9 and G10 in the SMU General Calendar. Minimum duration period: 1 year Maximum duration period: 2 years A student who interrupts his/her studies retains credit for modules passed for a maximum period of two years, subject to Rule G10 in the SMU General Calendar

There are many other advanced vaccinology courses offered by other institutions globally –  For more information, click here for International collaboration on advanced vaccinology training (ICAVT) e-portal 

About the course

The benefits of vaccination as the most cost effective public health intervention is evident in all sectors of society. Globally, before the advent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), vaccination against a range of other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) targeted by national Expanded Programmes on Immunisation (EPI) of all the World Health Organization (WHO) member countries, saved 4-5 million lives every year.

Although significant strides have been made in strengthening the National Department of Health (NDoH) of South Africa’s EPI (EPI-SA) over time, fully immunised under one year-old coverage (FIC) remains suboptimal among other vaccination programmes.

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals, and are well placed within all South African communities, both rural and urban, to deliver primary healthcare services as the first point of contact for most South African citizens. Thus, the School of Pharmacy answered the South African Pharmacy Council’s (SAPC) call to develop a programme to train pharmacists as vaccinators to assist in improving vaccination coverage for all vaccines within EPI-SA and any other relevant vaccination programme.

Purpose of the course

The long-term goal of this short course is to improve the performance of immunisation programmes and services in South Africa, by capacitating pharmacists to deliver vaccination services and promote vaccination with confidence, thereby increasing public demand for vaccination, which will in turn increase vaccination coverage and reduce the burden of VPDs in South Africa.

Aim of the course

To capacitate pharmacists with comprehensive vaccination related theoretical knowledge and practical skills to ensure that they are competent in providing high quality vaccination services and advocating for vaccination in South Africa.

Overall outcomes of the course

Upon completion of the course the learner will be able to

• provide immunisation services in compliance with legal and regulatory standards;
• advocate for immunisation, including addressing vaccine hesitancy and building public demand for vaccination;
• understand and apply immunisation principles and immunisation schedules;
• manage the cold chain and logistics for all vaccines;
• safely administer vaccines via all prescribed routes and monitor vaccine safety;
• record and document all required vaccination information; and
• collaborate with other immunisation stakeholders to improve the availability and access to immunisation services

Course topics

The key topics and sub-topics covered in this short course are outlined below. These topics and sub-topics will be presented as five modules.

Modules and key topics covered in the short course:

Module 1:  Basic vaccinology and vaccination schedules

· Immunisation principles

· Different types of vaccines

· Vaccination schedules for different programmes and different age groups

· Vaccination catch-up schedules

Module 2: Cold-chain management and logistics

· Correctly packing and cleaning a vaccine refrigerator

· Packing of cold boxes for transportation

· Monitoring and maintaining the correct temperatures of vaccines during storage and transportation, including the use of vaccine vial monitors

· When why and how to do the shake test

· Following the multi-dose vial policy

· The importance of following written standard operating procedures

Module 3: Safe administration of vaccines

· Preparation the vaccination station

· Vaccination-related history taking, paying special attention to precautions and contraindications for vaccination

· Vaccination-related counselling and obtaining informed consent (pre-vaccination informed consent; pre/post vaccination counselling)

· Vaccine preparation for administration

·  Vaccine administering techniques

· Record keeping and documentation following vaccination

· Waste disposal following vaccination (sharps/medical waste)

Module 4: Vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance

· Principles of vaccine pharmacovigilance and adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs)

· Observation post-vaccination and communication about potential AEFIs

· Emergency management of adverse events post-vaccination, including anaphylaxis

Module 5: Stakeholder engagement, vaccine advocacy, communication and social mobilisation

· Engagement with relevant stakeholders to expand access to immunisation services

· Essential information that must be given to people

· Different types of explanations and communication strategies

· Countering anti-vaccination myths while building trust in vaccination

COURSE FEES: R5 400

Candidates are responsible for the full course fee before the commencement of the course.

Banking Details:

Account name: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Bank name: Standard Bank

Account no: 071244395

Branch no: 020909

Reference no: “Your ID/Passport number” (This step is very important for us to trace your payment.)

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO REGISTRATION FORM WILL BE PROCESSED WITHOUT ALL THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION 

Course Contact and Enquiries

All course correspondences should be directed to the administrative coordinator, Ms Juanita Krugel by email, at juanita.krugel@smu.ac.za or telephone, 0125213699

Application

Application for the course can be done by downloading the form below:

SMU IITP Registration Form

Objectives:

• To equip frontline healthcare workers (vaccinators, pharmacy staff and depot personnel) with knowledge and guidance on good EVM practices, in compliance with legislation for vaccine logistics and supply
• To provide trained frontline healthcare workers (vaccinators, pharmacy staff and depot personnel) with the ability to assess and monitor vaccine supply chains and help improve the supply chain performance.
• To establish high standards of performance to ensure the reliability, quality and availability of vaccines and ancillary supplies when and where they are needed.
• To strengthen quality management practices through the use of standard operating procedures (SOPs), assessments and development of quality improvement projects  
• To provide frontline healthcare workers (vaccinators, pharmacy staff and depot personnel) with job aids for point of care decision-making
• To build capacity in terms of EVM training for master trainers

Click here to register for the EVM Training:

When the Med Safety App was rolled-out in South Africa, the head of SAVIC (Prof Hannelie (JC) Meyer), developed additional training as an update to Module 4 of the NDoH COVID-19 vaccination training for health workers. The main objectives of this training were to provide a short overview of the Med Safety App; to provide hands-on experience using the Med Safety App for reporting AEFI; and to answer participants’ questions posted to the Knowledge Hub or live during the sessions. 

The Med Safety App is a mobile application that replaces the paper-based system for reporting suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). It can be downloaded for free (see download link: https://medsafety.sahpra.org.za/) and used for reporting by the public and HCWs. It thus promotes reporting of ADRs and AEFI and keeping up to date with global safety information. Click on the link to access the training offered on the Knowledge Hub. https://www.knowledgehub.org.za/elibrary/use-med-safety-app-aefi-reporting

• SAVIC is currently training HCWs for the NDoH’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout programme.
• The main objective of the training is to capacitate HCWs by providing key information necessary for rolling out the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.
• By 31 March 2022, we had 42 437 HCWs who completed the training, either online on the NDOH’s Knowledge Hub or through the NDoH Regional Training Centres.
• HCWs can still register for the online course on the NDoH’s Knowledge Hub here: https://www.knowledgehub.org.za/form/covid-19-vaccination-training.