Immunisation services, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Contact
General Immunisation clinic:
- Phone: (02) 7825 2555
- Email: SCHN-CHW-OPDimmunisation@health.nsw.gov.au
NSW Immunisation Specialist Service including Specialist Immunisation clinics:
- Phone: (02) 7825 1414
- Email: SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au
About our service
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead offers general and specialist immunisation services.
The General Immunisation clinic provides routine, catch-up and additional immunisations including seasonal flu, COVID-19 and BCG immunisations.
The Children's Hospital at Westmead is home to the NSW Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS).
NSWISS is a NSW Health initiative providing a range of immunisation services, including:
- a specialist service for those with complex care needs around immunisation
- assessment and management of a child or adolescent who has previously experienced an adverse event following immunisation
- a statewide immunisation advice service (for vaccine providers only).
Looking for more information about immunisation?
The National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance provides factsheets, immunisation schedules, and history tables.
Referral process for clinicians
Referrals are not required for the General Immunisation clinic.
For BCG immunisations, the clinician or parent / guardian can complete the request for BCG Vaccination online form: Request for BCG vaccination - Tuberculosis (nsw.gov.au). BCG requests will be processed by the patient's local Chest Clinic in the first instance and may be referred on to us if they have no appointments available.
For Specialist Immunisation (NSWISS) clinics, our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely.
Consultmed questions and technical support: helpdesk@consultmed.co
Referral and appointment process for parents and carers
Request a referral
General Immunisation clinic:
- Referrals are not required for the General Immunisation clinic
- Bookings (optional) and enquiries can be made by contacting (02) 7825 2555 | Email: SCHN-CHW-OPDimmunisation@health.nsw.gov.au
BCG Immunisation:
- Please complete the request for BCG Vaccination online form: Request for BCG vaccination - Tuberculosis (nsw.gov.au)
- BCG requests will be processed your local Chest Clinic in the first instance. Your child may be referred on to us by your local Chest Clinic if they have no appointments available.
Specialist Immunisation (NSWISS) Clinics:
- To make an appointment at our clinic, you will need a referral from your GP, paediatrician or specialist
- They will assess your child, discuss your concerns, and make a referral to the appropriate service.
Track your referral
BCG Immunisation:
- If you have completed the online request form and are waiting for an appointment, please contact your local Chest Clinic (Accessing your local TB service)
- If your local Chest Clinic has informed you that your child’s referral has already been transferred to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, enquiries can be made by contacting (02) 7825 2555 | Email: SCHN-BCGclinicwestmead@health.nsw.gov.au
Specialist Immunisation (NSWISS) Clinics:
- Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring clinician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.
- Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment.
- To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.
- If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co
Need support?
If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us.
For General Immunisation and BCG clinic:
- Phone: (02) 7825 2555
- Email: SCHN-CHW-OPDimmunisation@health.nsw.gov.au OR SCHN-BCGclinicwestmead@health.nsw.gov.au
For Specialist Immunisation (NSWISS) clinics:
- Phone: (02) 9845 1414
- Email: SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au
Clinic and service information
General Immunisation clinic
The General Immunisation Clinic provides:
- routine, catch-up and additional immunisations for existing outpatients of Sydney Childrens' Hospitals Network who are attending the facility for another appointment, and their siblings. We particularly focus on reaching children with chronic illness or disability, and from priority populations;
- an influenza immunisation program for outpatient children and their household members - annual eligibility details determined in consultation with NSW Health; and
- immunisation for vulnerable children from the community who are unable to access immunisation in primary care
- BCG immunisation: please note that we are unable to accept direct referrals or walk-ins for BCG.
General immunisation services are free for Medicare card holders, excluding travel vaccines.
Vulnerable non-Medicare eligible families may be immunised without charge in certain circumstances. If you are a professional looking after a vulnerable family, please call ahead.
Opening hours: 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays and an annual closure over the Christmas / New Year period).
Location:
- The General Immunisation Clinic is located in the Bandaged Bear Outpatients Clinic on level 2 (Clinic 2) at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
- BCG clinics occur in the Bandaged Bear Outpatients Department on level 2 (Clinic 2) at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, fortnightly on Fridays.
Specialist Immunisation clinic
The Specialist Immunisation Clinic provides in-depth consultations and vaccination under close observation for children who have had an adverse event following immunisation or who have complex medical needs.
Consultations are also available for parents and carers who have questions about immunisation.
The specialist clinic is free of charge for Medicare cardholders with a referral letter from your general practitioner.
Clinic days: Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Bandaged Bear Outpatient Clinics
Telehealth consultations
Families who live outside of the Sydney metropolitan region and are unable to travel to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for a consultation may be eligible for a video conference consultation using your computer webcam or mobile phone.
Consultations are free of charge for eligible Medicare cardholders with a referral letter from your general practitioner.
Children and adolescents who are difficult to immunise
Appointments and day admissions can be arranged for children who cannot be safely immunised in the community, for example, because of severe anxiety, needle fear or underlying behavioural disorders.
Experienced staff can administer vaccines using relaxation or distraction techniques or, if required, can administer light sedation under close observation.
Consultations are free of charge for Medicare cardholders with a referral letter from your general practitioner.
Immunisation Advice Line
The NSWISS advisory service provides specialist immunisation advice for clinicians and providers across NSW.
For timely advice, please email your enquiry to SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au
- The advisory service is Monday-Friday 9.00 am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)
- For general information please contact your local public health unit 1300 066 055.
