Professional resources
Overview
The professional resources page provides trusted guidance, training, and campaign materials for professionals involved in vaccination delivery, education, and public outreach. These users might include:
- Healthcare professionals (GPs, nurses, pharmacists)
- Educators (school staff, teachers, principals, headteachers, administrators)
- Community and voluntary sector workers (youth workers, outreach teams)
- Public health officials
- Care home staff
- Social workers and early years practitioners
Whether you're a healthcare provider, educator, or part of the voluntary or community sector, you find the latest resources, guidelines, and training materials below.
What's new
- Seasonal updates (Flu 2024-25 including pre-school)
- New training modules
- Changes in eligibility or guidance
Guidance and training programme resources:
Vaccination policy and programme guidance
Vaccination policy and governance
Who sets vaccination policy?
The Department of Health (DoH) is responsible for developing vaccination policy, based on recommendations from the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI). The JCVI includes representatives from all Devolved Administrations.
Key reference documents:
- Policy documents: Access national vaccination policy materials on the Department of Health website.
- The Green Book: information for public health professionals on immunisation against infectious diseases provides authoritative guidance on vaccination policy and practice.
- Vaccine updates: Subscribe to vaccine updates - GOV.UK
Programme overview
- Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status
- PHA immunisation resources for health professionals
- Childhood immunisation programme: full details
- Guidance on vaccine handling and storage in Primary Care (including maintenance of the Vaccine Cold Chain)
- Translated immunisation invitation letters
Specific vaccines information
- MenACWY - Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers
- Men B - Meningitis B immunisation
- Pertussis (whooping cough) - Includes: Infants, pre-school aged children and pregnant women Pertussis (whooping cough) immunisation
- Rotavirus - Factsheet on rotavirus immunisation
Targeted campaigns
- BCG (tuberculosis)
- Hepatitis B - Includes: Universal hepatitis B programme and hepatitis B vaccine for at risk babies, Clinical guidelines on hepatitis B
- Influenza (flu) - Includes: Children, adults, pregnant women and healthcare workers - Flu resources for professionals
- HPV vaccine - Includes: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
- Pregnant women - Includes: Flu, pertussis, MMR, hepatitis B and syphilis advice
- Shingles - Factsheet on shingles vaccination
- Splenectomy - Includes: MenACWY, pneumococcal, flu, Factsheet on splenectomy
- Travel vaccines (National Travel and Health Network, Travax) - NATHNAC support for those providing health information to people going travelling , Travel health information from TRAVAX
Vaccination guidance for special cases
Guidance for health professional in cases of patients vaccinated in other countries or with uncertain vaccination history.
- 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
- Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Interpreting Service (NIHSCIS), Business Support Organisation
- Translated immunisation invitation letters, Public Health Agency
Childhood vaccination programmes
Childhood vaccination programmes
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
- Resources: Childhood immunisation programme
Pre-school immunisations (aged 2–4 years)
- Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MMR
Immunisations for 12–13 year old
- Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MenACWY, MMR, HPV
- Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers
- Factsheet on HPV vaccine for children in Year 9 and 10
- HPV vaccine training slides 2019 15_8_19.pptx
Childhood immunisation schedule
| Age due | Vaccines that protect against | Vaccine given | |
| 8 weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/He (6 in 1 vaccine) - one injection | |
| Meningococcal group B (MenB) | MenB - one injection | ||
| Rotavirus gastroenteritis | Rotavirus - orally | ||
| 12 weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/He (6 in 1 vaccine) - one injection | |
| Meningococcal group B (MenB) | MenB - one injection | ||
| Rotavirus gastroenteritis | Rotavirus - orally | ||
| 16 weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/He (6 in 1 vaccine) - one injection | |
| Pneumococcal (13 serotypes) • if received pneumococcal at 12 weeks give Men B | PCV - one injection | ||
| Age due | Vaccines that protect against | Vaccine given | |
| One year old (on or after the child’s first birthday) | Born before 1 July 2024 | Born on or after 1 July 2024 | |
| Pneumococcal | Pneumococcal | PCV - one injection | |
| Measles, mumps, rubella | Measles, mumps, rubella | MMR - one injection | |
| MenB | MenB | MenB - one injection | |
| Hib/MenC (if Hib/MenC exhausted give DTaP/Hib/IPV/HepB) | Hib/MenC - one injection | ||
| 18 months | No appointment | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB - one injection |
| Measles, mumps, rubella | MMR - one injection | ||
| 3 years 4 months old or soon after | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio | dTaP/IPV - one injection |
| Measles, mumps, rubella | MMR - one injection | ||
| Boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years | Cancers and genital warts caused by specific human papillomavirus (HPV) types | HPV - one injection | |
| 14 years old (school Year 9) | Tetanus, diphtheria and polio | Td/IPV - one injection | |
| Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y | MenACWY - one injection | ||
| Eligible paediatric age group See annual flu letter | Influenza (each year from September) | LAIV (Live attenuated influenza vaccine • If LAIV is contraindicated o otherwise unsuitable use inactivated flu vaccine (check Green Book chapter 19 for details) - injection or nasal spray | |
Specific vaccine information
Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY and Men B) - Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers, Meningitis B immunisation
Pertussis (whooping cough) Includes: Infants, pre-school aged children and pregnant women - Pertussis (whooping cough) immunisation
Rotavirus - Factsheet on rotavirus immunisation
Selective childhood immunisation programmes schedule
| Target group | Age and schedule | Disease | Vaccines required |
| Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B | At birth, 4 weeks if born before 1 July 2024 give additional dose at one year | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B (Engerix B/HBvaxPRO) |
| Infants in areas of the country with TB incidence >= 40/100,000 | Around 28 days old | Tuberculosis | BCG Check SCID screening outcome before giving BCG |
| Infants with a parent or grandparent born in a high incidence country | Around 28 days old | Tuberculosis | BCG Check SCID screening outcome before giving BCG |
| Children in a clinical risk group | Age under 2 years • if first ever flu vaccine give second dose at 4 weeks | Influenza | Inactivated flu vaccine |
| Aged 2 to 8 years • if first ever flu vaccine give second dose at 4 weeks | LAIV • if LAIV contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable give inactivated flu | ||
| Aged 9 to17 years • only one dose required each flu season | LAIV • if LAIV contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable give inactivated flu | ||
| Pregnant women | At any stage of pregnancy during flu season | Influenza | Inactivated flu vaccine |
| From 16 weeks gestation | Pertussis | Tdap (ADACEL) | |
| From 28 weeks gestation | RSV | RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) |
Changes to childhood schedule
Coming soon
Seasonal campaigns (2024-25 flu incl preschool), COVID-19
Flu vaccination programme 2024-25
- Flu presentation - Adult 2024.25.pptx
- Flu vaccination programme - childhood presentation 2024.25.pptx
- Click here for seasonal flu training for health professionals
Preschool vaccination programme
- Routine childhood immunisation programme poster
- Childhood immunisations: general guidance information on delivery
- Publications | HSC Public Health Agency
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)
Targeted programmes (COVID-19, combined COVID-19 and flu, measles, RSV)
COVID-19
- PHA COVID-19 vaccination for adults training slides Apr 2025.pptx
- PHA COVID-19 vaccination for children training slides 27 September 2024
- Operational update on COVID-19 booster for 16 & 17 yrs old 2024-25
Combined COVID-19 and flu
Measles:
- Measles awareness session provides guidance and information to promote and educate around Measles, MMR and the catch-up campaign.
- 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 Northern Ireland - Measles | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
RSV
Training materials:
- RSV vaccination training slides_maternal programme for infant protection 08.2024
- RSV vaccination training slides_adult programme August 2024
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)
BCG (tuberculosis)
Hepatitis B - Includes: Universal hepatitis B programme and hepatitis B vaccine for at risk babies, Clinical guidelines on hepatitis B
Influenza (flu) - Includes: Children, adults, pregnant women and healthcare workers - Flu resources for professionals
HPV vaccine - Includes: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
Pregnant women - Includes: Flu, pertussis, MMR, hepatitis B and syphilis advice
Shingles - Factsheet on shingles vaccination
Splenectomy - Includes: MenACWY, pneumococcal, flu, Factsheet on splenectomy
Travel vaccines (National Travel and Health Network, Travax) - NATHNAC support for those providing health information to people going travelling , Travel health information from TRAVAX
Vaccinations in pregnancy (professional resources)
The following resources and guidelines are for the use of professionals. The resources for members of the public are on the Public resources page:
Flu
- Factsheet for professionals – Influenza immunisation programme: Factsheet for healthcare practitioners
- Service User leaflet – Flu is more serious than you think: Pregnant women (English and translations)
RSV
- Factsheet for professionals – Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) maternal immunisation programme for infant protection: factsheet for healthcare practitioners
- Professional training PowerPoint – PHA RSV vaccination training slides Maternal programme for infant protection final 08.2024.pptx
- Service user leaflet – How to protect your baby from RSV
Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Factsheet for professionals - Whooping Cough (Pertussis) immunisation for pregnant women - Factsheet
- Professional training PowerPoint - Pertussis in pregnancy final draft RS and LF - 20240621.pptx
- Professionals webinar LearnHSCNI | Pertussis Webinar (CEC)
- Service user leaflet – Whooping Cough (Pertussis) immunisation - Leaflet
Having conversations about vaccination
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Recording a vaccination
Community and voluntary sector professionals
under construction
Educators (school teachers and principals)
School flu pack – pending
School vaccines videos on Vimeo:
- School vaccines video (English)
- School vaccines video (Bulgarian)
- School vaccines video (Lithuanian)
- School vaccines video (Polish)
- School vaccines video (Romanian)
- School vaccines video (Tetum)
- School vaccines video (Ukrainian)
Other resources:
- World immunisation week school competitions for primary and post secondary 2025
- E:bug teaching resources
Presentations and promotional materials:
- HPV vaccine guidelines for school staff 2025.pptx
- Teenage vaccinations - information session for principals and teachers 14 May 2025 (video from the webinar)
- Teenage vaccinations - information session for principals and teachers 14 May 2025 (pptx slides from the webinar)
Measles resources:
Healthcare professionals (e-learning, standards training, PGDs, storage)
Patient Group Directives (PGDs):
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.
E-learning modules:
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.
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.
Vaccine handling and storage guidance for primary care settings:
The PHA and HSCB have jointly produced regional guidance for General Practices for safe and effective handling and storage of vaccines.
Communications toolkit (social media resources)
Use the social media assets and messaging below to spread awareness and promote vaccination programmes running in Northern Ireland.
Check Public Health Agency's social media channels, subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest vaccination programme campaigns: