{{Short description|Medical care occupation}} {{Vaccination}} A '''vaccinator''' is a person who gives injections of a vaccine to people. Vaccinators require the skills of knowing where to inject the needle into the recipient as well as preparing the substance to be injected.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/who-giving-covid-vaccines-states-scramble-find-vaccinators-n1258370|title=Who is giving the Covid shots? States facing new shortage problem|website=NBC News}}</ref>
Under normal conditions, routine inoculations can be given by one’s healthcare provider, at a pharmacy, or at special clinics set up in a community. But when a mass vaccination effort is being undertaken, such as during a pandemic, people of various qualifying occupations may be sought specifically for the role as vaccinators due to high demand. Some of them may work full time at the job; others could do so part time in addition to their regular occupation. Some retirees may also work part-time.<ref name="auto1"/>
==Training== [[File:COVID-19 vaccination (2020) B.jpg|thumb|right|A vaccinator administering a COVID-19 vaccine]] Training to be a vaccinator does not only require the skills to give an injection. Training is also needed in the storage and preparation of the materials used to give the shots of varying brands, which have differing requirements.<ref name="auto1"/> Anaphylaxis training is a part of vaccinator training in some places.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/06/04/mary-higgins-what-it-is-like-to-be-a-covid-19-vaccinator/|title=Mary Higgins: What it is like to be a covid-19 vaccinator|date=June 4, 2021|website=The BMJ}}</ref>
==Qualifying occupations== The following are some of the occupations that qualify a person to work as a vaccinator, which vary by location: * Dentist<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20210303.890600/full/|title=Who Is Allowed To Administer COVID-19 Vaccines? The List Is Growing | Health Affairs Blog|website=www.healthaffairs.org|year=2021|doi=10.1377/forefront.20210303.890600|url-access=subscription}}</ref> * Medical assistant<ref name="auto"/> * Medical student<ref name="auto1"/> * National guard<ref name="auto"/> * Nurse<ref name="auto"/> * Nursing student <ref name="auto"/> * Paramedic * Pharmacist * Physician * Physician assistant * Veterinarian<ref name="auto"/> * Veterinary assistant<ref name="auto"/>
==See also== * Vaccination * Vaccine * List of vaccine topics
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Health care occupations Category:Vaccination