March 2026: This version does not contain the 2026 influenza recommendations. For clinical advice on the 2026 influenza vaccine preparations please see the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) Statement on the Administration of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in 2026.

Understanding Vaccines for Midwives: Vaccination requirements during pregnancy and early childhood

Version 13.0 (released 17th December, 2025)



100% online course

ACM accredited activity:

20 CPD hours

20 weeks access

$125 per user (AUD)

Introduction Assessments & certificates Accreditation & CPD Help & resources

Introduction

This course is an introduction to immunisation and key vaccines and topics relevant to midwives, and also aims to assist midwives to deliver a safe and effective immunisation service by:

  • introducing the learner to information on the theoretical and practical components of immunisation
  • guiding the learner to utilise the relevant resources that support best practice when delivering an immunisation service
  • assisting the learner to assess their understanding of the relevant information.

The course consists of 2 modules that must be completed in sequential order.

Participants have 20 weeks to complete the course from the date of purchase.

Modules

Click on each module below for more information

This module discusses immunity through vaccination and introduces The National Immunisation Program, the childhood vaccination schedule, the routinely recommended vaccines in pregnancy, vaccine preventable diseases and the vaccines administered to provide protection against these diseases.

Topics include:

  • Importance of midwives
  • Why we immunise
  • Basic microbiology
  • The immune system
  • National Immunisation Program
  • Vaccine preventable diseases
  • Vaccination in pregnancy

The second module provides information to assist a midwife in the role of confidently discussing vaccines and the immunisation recommendations with pregnant women, and the requirements to deliver a safe and effective immunisation service.

Topics include:

  • Legislation
  • Informing individuals
  • Vaccine safety
  • Adverse Event Following Immunisation
  • Adverse reactions
  • Vaccine distribution and cold chain management
  • Delivering an immunisation service

Assessments

Each module contains multiple choice assessment questions.

  • You can attempt each question twice and feedback is provided.
  • If you fail an assessment question, it is recommended to go back to the course content to ensure you understand the information prior to attempting the question again.
  • All questions within each module must be completed to unlock the next module. You must achieve 80% in the module assessments to progress to the next module or an exam.
  • If you have not achieved 80%, you are required to reset the assessment using the Reset Assessment tab and begin all questions again.

Exam

Module 2 has a short exam with 10 multiple choice questions.

  • You must achieve 80% for the exam.
  • If you fail the exam, only one re-sit is available.
  • There is no reset process for the exam.
  • The exam is open book style. Open the necessary clinical resources in another tab during the exam process to ensure your answers are correct.

Expectation of course learners

  • Allow up to 20 hours for course completion in line with the 20 CPD hours allocated.
  • Read all the information, view the Recommended readings and complete all the activities, which will assist with the assessment and exam process.
  • Seek assistance from Content Support if required, using the 'Contact Us' link below.

It is a requirement that course user’s answers to assessment questions represent their own work. SA Health reserves the right to cancel enrolment, suspend or remove access to the program if academic misconduct / dishonesty is proven.

Certificate of Completion

At the successful completion of all the course requirements, including passing the exam, you will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion.

Record of Study

On completion of the course, all learners will be able to print a Record of Study to assist with claiming Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Accreditation

Understanding Vaccines for Midwives – Vaccination during pregnancy and early childhood is an Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Activity and has been allocated 20 CPD hours.

Approved training

This course is an approved training program for midwives in South Australia in accordance with the SA Vaccine Administration Code and Western Australia in accordance with the WA Structured Administration and Supply Arrangements (SASA), Administration of Vaccines by Midwives.

Development team

This course has been developed by immunisation and education experts from the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB), Department for Health and Wellbeing, South Australia, WA Health and the Education and Training Department of the Women and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia

Help

Support is available to students by phone and email:

  • Phone support is available Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (ACST)
    • Phone: 1300 232 272
  • Emails can be sent anytime and a response will be provided on the same or next business day

Immunisation Teachers are available to assist learners with any enquiries including information about the Program, access details, Program content, academic support, advice, and encouragement.

Technical support is available through an online help-desk. A request can be submitted 24/7, however the technical experts at Digital Media are only able to respond Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (ACST). A help link is available by clicking on the students name at the top right hand side of each screen throughout the Program.

System requirements

  • A screen size comparable to a 10” tablet or larger monitor is required. Mobile phones should not be used as some content will be unable to be viewed.
  • An up to date web browser such as the most recent version of Microsoft Edge, JavaScript and cookies need to be enabled.
  • Safari, Opera and older versions of Internet Explorer are not fully supported.

Program requirements

The Program must be completed within a period of 20 weeks from the date of registration. Student initiated requests for a program extension or refund must be due to extenuating circumstances and will be granted to students that can provide the relevant evidence.

The Program requires access to the internet and a current browser. It is recommended to use the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge of Internet Explorer 10 and above. The Program is best accessed via desktop or laptop.

Resources

Australian Immunisation Handbook (Handbook)

The digital online version of the Australian Immunisation Handbook (Handbook) provides up-to-date information about all aspects of immunisation. Where there is relevant content, links are provided to the related sections of the Handbook. Ensure you use the online version of the Handbook as previous printed versions contain out of date information.

Australian Immunisation Handbook

Navigating the digital Handbook

Acknowledgement is given to the Australian Government Department of Health for the inclusion of the information sourced from The Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Interactive Schedule

An interactive Schedule is used throughout the course.

The Interactive Schedule highlights the key points where vaccines are scheduled to be given. Click on the bold antigen for key facts about that vaccine.

The schedule used in this program is the National Immunisation Program Schedule, which includes all the recommendations for the Commonwealth funded vaccines. It is indicated on this Schedule if only specific cohorts are eligible for additional vaccines due to increased risk of disease or disease severity and complications.

Specific state and territory schedules are developed with schedule changes and include the nationally funded vaccines and any additional vaccines recommended and funded by the state or territory.

Your feedback and evaluation of this course

We are interested to know what you think about the course in order for us to continuously improve it. There will be opportunity for you to provide feedback about the course once you have completed the course.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this course is current as at the date of the last review.

A panel will review evaluation feedback and program content annually. If any change to information occurs in between that period, it will be addressed at the next review date; however, any schedule changes will be updated if required.

This course introduces the participant to the major websites that carry up to date information relating to immunisation and any planned changes to the vaccine schedules thus ensuring participants can maintain currency of information.

Links to websites are used throughout the course. Every attempt is made to maintain these links. If a link fails to work, a self-generated internet search may be required.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this training course may contain sensitive material including images of deceased persons.