NCIRS, in conjunction with NSW Health, established NSWISS in 2015 with the clinical services conducted at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. NSWISS provides specialised immunisation care and advice to clinicians and families. The service also supports a number of activities undertaken by NCIRS, such as monitoring vaccine safety by participating in active surveillance program AusVaxSafety, reporting adverse events, contributing to social research and providing input into The Australian Immunisation Handbook.

NSWISS provides the following services:

  • Advice for immunisation providers

  • Specialist Immunisation Clinic – In person consultations

  • Specialist Immunisation Clinic - Telehealth consultations

  • Vaccinations for children and adolescents who are difficult to immunise


Advice for immunisation providers

NSWISS provides advice on:

  • immunisations, including COVID-19
  • vaccines for people with at-risk medical conditions
  • investigation and management of suspected adverse events following immunisation (AEFI)
  • future vaccine doses.

Immunisation providers are requested to email clinical questions to NSWISS at SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au and include a contact phone number. Responses will be provided via email or return phone call as appropriate within 1 business day. The NSWISS email inbox is monitored Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm.

General public: We are unable to provide direct clinical advice to the general public. Please visit your general practitioner (GP) to discuss your specific clinical situation. Your healthcare provider is advised to contact the appropriate immunisation specialist service in your state if additional clinical support is required. 

NSW vaccination hub doctors can contact the immunisation fellow or specialist on call for urgent clinical support via The Children’s Hospital at Westmead switchboard on 02 9845 0000 (both during business and after hours). 

For urgent after-hours advice on the immediate investigation and management of serious AEFI, clinicians can contact NSWISS via The Children’s Hospital at Westmead switchboard on 02 9845 0000 and ask for the on-call immunisation specialist. 
For general immunisation information, you can contact your local Public Health Unit first on 1300 066 055.
 


Specialist Immunisation Clinic – In person consultations

Doctors:
Associate Professor Nicholas Wood
Dr Lucy Deng
Dr Archana Koirala
Dr Ketaki Sharma
Dr Rama Kandasamy
Dr Emma Goeman
Dr Ben Smith

Clinical nurse consultant:
Deidre Brogan

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. To arrange an appointment, please contact the Specialist Immunisation Clinic on (02) 9845 1414 or email at: SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au.

Referrals can also be emailed to SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au 

The Specialist Immunisation Clinic is held on Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Bandaged Bear Outpatient Clinics.


Specialist Immunisation Clinic – Telehealth consultations 

Doctors:
Associate Professor Nicholas Wood
Dr Lucy Deng
Dr Archana Koirala
Dr Ketaki Sharma
Dr Rama Kandasamy
Dr Emma Goeman
Dr Ben Smith

Clinical nurse consultant:
Deidre Brogan

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. To arrange an appointment, please contact the Specialist Immunisation Clinic on (02) 9845 1414 or email at: SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au.

Referrals can also be emailed to SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au


Children and adolescents who are difficult to immunise

Doctors:
Associate Professor Nicholas Wood
Dr Lucy Deng
Dr Archana Koirala
Dr Ketaki Sharma
Dr Rama Kandasamy
Dr Emma Goeman
Dr Ben Smith

Clinical nurse consultant:
Deidre Brogan

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. To arrange an appointment, please contact the Specialist Immunisation Clinic on (02) 9845 1414 or email at: SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au.

Referrals can also be emailed to SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au.

Last updated May 2022