Background

Specialist immunisation services (SIS) are hospital-based immunisation clinics led by a team of specialised medical and nursing staff with expertise in vaccines and immunisation.

In Victoria, there are specialised immunisation services at Monash Health, Western Health, Royal Children’s Hospital and Alfred Health.

Purpose of SIS

These services offer vaccination encounters through walk-ins, or via formal appointments for patients with more complex vaccination needs (e.g. multiple medical conditions, antenatal vaccination, complex catch-up plans, oncology, pre- and post-transplant recipients).

SIS in Victoria are also linked with SAEFVIC, the Victorian vaccine safety service. Specialist consultation and/or vaccination under supervision may be facilitated via these services for individuals who have previously experienced a significant adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) or who are at higher risk of experiencing an AEFI.

Access and services offered

  • Royal Children’s Hospital Immunisation Service

    Suited for:
    Children of all ages and family members (*BCG appointments only available for children < 12 months of age) 

    Services offered:
    NIP and travel vaccines, catch-up vaccination (appointments required), COVID-19 vaccines (from 6 months of age), meningococcal B/ACWY, sedation services and complex vaccination needs 

    Hours of operation:
    Monday to Friday 9:00 am–4:30 pm, excluding public holidays 

    How to access:
    Walk-ins and appointments available 

    How to refer: 
    Immunisation clinic fax number: (03) 9345 4163
    BCG clinic fax number: (03) 9345 5034
    Inpatients/outpatients (seen by Immunisation Nurse Practitioners) fax number: (03) 9345 4100 

    Location:
    Ground floor opposite Parkville Café, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville 

    Contact:
    Telephone: 1300 882 924 (option 2) or (03) 9345 6599 / 9345 6399
    Email: [email protected]   

  • Monash Immunisation Service

    Suited for:
    All ages (*BCG appointments only available for children < 5 years of age)  

    Services offered:
    National Immunisation Program (NIP) and travel vaccines, catch-up plans and vaccination, sedation services, complex vaccination needs and COVID-19 vaccines (≥ 6 months)

    Hours of operation:
    Monday to Friday 8:30 am–4:00 pm, excluding public holidays. 

    How to access:
    Walk-ins and appointments  

    Location:
    Suite I, Jessie McPherson Private Consulting Suite Level 2, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton 

    How to refer:
    Monash Health require all referrals to be submitted from your GP via HealthLink: Monash Health referrals  

    Contact:
    Telephone: (03) 9594 6320
    Email: [email protected] 

  • Western Health Immunisation Service

    Suited for:
    Children and pregnant people 

    Services offered:
    NIP vaccines (children), antenatal vaccines (dTpa and influenza) and COVID-19 vaccines (≥ 6 months) 

    Hours of operation:
    Monday to Friday 9:00 am–4:00 pm, excluding public holidays 

    How to access:
    Walk-ins and appointments (appointments held on Wednesday afternoons only) 

    Location:
    Ground Floor, Sunshine Hospital, Joan Kirner Women and Children’s Hospital, St Albans 

    How to refer:
    Western Health require all external patients to be referral through the general paediatric referral system: Western Health Referral 

    Contact:
    Telephone: (03) 8345 1727
    Email: [email protected] 

  • Alfred Health Specialist Immunisation Services (AHSIS)

    Suited for:
    Adults only (≥ 18 years) 

    Services offered:
    Individuals who have experienced AEFI or who are at risk of experiencing AEFI 

    How to access:
    By appointment only 

    How to refer:
    Referrals can be made to Alfred Health Specialist Clinics and sent via Fax: (03) 90766938 or Email: [email protected] 

    Contact:
    Telephone: (03) 90765200  

Funding

The Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash and Western Health services operate with funding from the Victorian Department of Health. Alfred Health Specialist Immunisation Service is fully funded internally by Alfred Health.  

Resources

Authors: Adele Harris (Immunisation nurse, SAEFVIC, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) and Rachael McGuire (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator)

Date: March 2024

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information on this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family’s personal health. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult a healthcare professional.