Coming to the Immunisation Centre

Led by a specialist nursing team (Nurse Unit Manager: Tara Hearn), the centre provides specialist immunisation advice. The team supports outpatient clinics such as the Immunisation Clinic (Tuesday am), Immigrant Health (Monday pm) and dedicated BCG clinics. It also provides seasonal vaccines, such as influenza and delivers the RSV immunoglobulin for at risk infants.

When coming to the Immunisation Centre at the RCH, the staff are committed to ensuring that the experience is a positive one, for both the child and the family.  Please view one of our RCH patients being immunised video.  

Needle phobia

Pain and anxiety associated with vaccine administration can be a source of distress for children and their families. There are a range of techniques that can be used to reduce this pain and anxiety, such as effective preparation, distraction techniques and pain management strategies. When these strategies are unsuccessful, the Immunisation Drop-in centre can offer a unique 'Immunisation under sedation' service.  

To find out more, please contact the Immunisation service on 1300 882 924 (Option 2) and bookings are essential. Please view a child's guide to nitrous oxide video.

Private purchase vaccines

Our service recommends additional Meningococcal and Varicella vaccines for all children, which can be purchased at our centre. 

For further information, please contact our centre or visit the Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre website. 

Specialist Immunisation Clinic (SIC) - Tuesday mornings

The Specialist Immunisation clinic (SIC) provides a service to children with complex medical health problems and specialist immunisation needs. This Tuesday morning clinic has five Immunisation specialist paediatricians and Nurse Practitioners.  The patients who should be referred to this clinic are:

• those who have previously experienced an adverse event following immunisation
• are at risk of an adverse event following immunisation
• children with underlying complex medical health problems (includes oncology, transplant, immune suppression)
• children who require supervision following immunisation
• Families with immunisation needs unable to be met within a community setting

RCH Referral fax: 03 9345 5034 Email: screferrals@rch.org.au

Adverse events following immunisation

In Victoria, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) should be notified to SAEFVIC (the Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community).

This specialist service helps immunisation providers, and the community manage children and adults who have had an AEFI.

These pages contain a number of resources that the Immunisation service provides to clinicians at the RCH. Please contact Tara Hearn if you have any suggestions for improvements to these pages.