The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is offering a new education program providing nurses and other health professionals in 22 Pacific Island countries and territories with life-saving skills through its immunisation course aimed at improving health outcomes in the region.
With 50 funded placements supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the course, developed in partnership with the Pacific Community, provides essential education in vaccine safety, administration, and strategies to improve immunisation coverage.
ACN CEO, Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN, said that ACN values its role in helping to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases and protecting populations that are vulnerable, both in Australia and now also in our neighbouring nations.
“Nurses have a critical role in overcoming vaccine hesitancy and achieving widespread protection against preventable diseases by reassuring and educating patients.
“Nurses are trusted. Investing in nurses means investing in the health of entire communities.
“ACN’s life-saving immunisation course supports Pacific Island nurses to deliver culturally safe care that meets the unique needs of their communities.
“We look forward to seeing our Pacific Island nurse colleagues embrace this opportunity to provide leadership in creating healthier, stronger communities.”
BACKGROUND
ACN’s Pacific Islands Immunisation Course is designed for nurses and other healthcare professionals working across Pacific Island countries and territories.
The course provides contemporary theory on vaccination and the implementation of immunisation programs, with a focus on real-world scenarios.
The course encourages a deep understanding of how to review and interpret immunisation resources, equipping participants to apply their skills effectively in diverse settings.
As a cost-effective public health strategy, immunisation remains crucial in reducing mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The course aims to empower health practitioners to become immunisation advocates, promoting increased vaccine uptake, and building healthier communities.
Delivered entirely online with flexible study options, the course is accessible to nurses and healthcare professionals even in the most remote locations. It can be completed in just three weeks.
Healthcare professionals in the following locations can now gain the skills needed to protect their communities:
• American Samoa
• Cook Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• French Polynesia
• Guam
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Nauru
• New Caledonia
• Niue
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu
• Wallis and Futuna
More information is available at https://members.acn.edu.au/pacific-islands-immunisation-course
Australian College of Nursing
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) provides a unifying voice for nursing in Australia by bringing together nurses from all States and Territories, healthcare settings, and specialties to advance the profession and enhance healthcare delivery. ACN actively addresses critical issues in health care and nursing, by advocating for change with key influencers to improve health services and outcomes nationwide. At ACN, we believe that every nurse has the potential to lead and make a significant impact. Our members are at the heart of our mission—they are leaders, educators, and researchers who inspire and enact real change in the nursing field. We support our members through advocacy, education, and a powerful professional network to provide quality care and improve the health of all Australians.
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