Paediatric Specialist Immunisation Service

This condition is treated in the Paediatrics clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

This clinic assesses and manages children/families with issues regarding childhood immunisation. This clinic:

• provides assessment and makes recommendations regarding suitability for immunisation and the best location for this to occur
• facilitates the administration of immunisations under sedation, and/or under supervision in the hospital environment due to medical risk
• provides COVID-19 vaccination to children from six months of age to under five years, who meet ATAGI Recommendations.

Scope

The target group is:

• Patients requiring scheduled vaccinations under observation in a hospital setting after an Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI), or if there is concern regarding specific contraindications, or precautions due to pre-existing conditions.
  • a perceived greater risk of an adverse reaction, AND
  • their Paediatrician or Medical Specialist has recommended vaccination with observation in the hospital setting because an AEFI in a community setting may be difficult to assess or manage.
• Severely needle phobic or other neurodevelopmental, mental health or behavioural conditions that make it difficult for the patient to be immunised safely in a community setting (this includes patients who have failed attempts in community settings due to anxiety).
• Patients having complex medical conditions with:
• Families who are vaccine hesitant and wish to discuss this further.

Note: We do not currently provide BCG vaccination. Children requiring BCG need to be referred to the Department of Respiratory Medicine Wellington Clinics.

Pre-referral work up

All referrals should comply with referral standards and include:

• previous Adverse Events following Immunisations
• particular concerns regarding future immunisation
• information regarding prior unsuccessful attempts at immunisation

Tests

No pre-referral investigations are required

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Paediatrics clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Notifications of Adverse Events Following Immunisation should be made to the Communicable Disease Prevention Unit, Department of Health.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Urgent (Category 1)

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar (Ph: 6166 0000) to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

We will endeavour to see these patients within 1 month.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

For any urgent sexual abuse/assault concerns please phone RHH switchboard and ask Paediatric Sexual Assault Consultant or Registrar on call for advice.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine (Category 3)

Next available appointment

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 (Western end of Charles Street Corridor)
Paediatric and Adolescent Outpatient Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694 (select option 3)
Fax: 03 6777 5242

North West

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 03 6493 6300
Fax: 03 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455 
Fax: 03 6441 5928

South

Royal Hobart Hospital
Level 3, D Block (North) - Paediatric Clinics

Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6173 0469

Outreach Clinics are offered at various locations, but referrals should be sent to the Paediatric Clinic.