Condensed Immunization Competency Course for
New Vaccine Providers
For the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine Only
As B.C. prepares to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination program, timely education and resources are essential for both new and existing vaccine providers to immunize safely and competently.
While the complete BCCDC immunization competency course is recommended for all new vaccine providers, it is recognized that in the context of the global pandemic, the need for an expedited immunization competency education process is essential to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner (i.e., for those who will be providing COVID-19 vaccines only).
As such, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has opened their Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC) course at no cost to support new vaccine providers.
To access the EPIC Course, an access code is required and can be obtained by emailing: CompetencyHelp@bccdc.ca. If you are working in a First Nations Community and would like to access the EPIC course, the required access code and instructions can be obtained by emailing:
immunize@fnha.ca
The BCCDC recommends that new vaccine providers complete the following five modules of the EPIC course in order to meet the expedited learning process for the purpose of administering Covid-19 vaccine only:
- Module 1: The Immune System and Vaccines
- Module 3: Vaccine Development and Evaluation
- Module 8: Administration of Immunizing Agents
- Module 9: Adverse Events Following Immunization
- Module 14: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Immunization
**A certificate will be generated upon completion of each module. The five certificates can be printed and presented to an employer to verify that the recommended modules have been successfully completed.
The
Immunization Skills Checklist can be utilized by employers to assess immunization competencies of new vaccine providers following completion of the course.
In addition to the condensed EPIC course, new vaccine providers are to complete the following:
BCCDC COVID-19 Immunization Webinars
- COVID-19 Vaccine Overview
- COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines
- Overcoming hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine (CPS course - to be released in January 2021). This course will be accessible with your EPIC course access code.
*Please note that your access code also provides access to the currently available CPS module: Moving to Acceptance – How to address vaccine hesitancy in your busy practice.
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