HNEkids Immunisation service
HNEkids Immunisation is a comprehensive specialist immunisation service for children and young people across Hunter New England. The service comprises specialist paediatricians and experienced nurse immunisers. We are located in the Paediatric Outpatient Department, Level 1, John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
Our team provides:
- Drop-in immunisations as per the National Immunisation Program Schedule (NIP) for current patients of John Hunter Children's Hospital
- Immunisation for 'Special Risk Groups', including annual influenza vaccine
- Planning for catch-up immunisation
- Immunisation advice after an Adverse Event
- Discussion and advice for children, young people and parents concerned about vaccines and vaccine safety
- Specialist immunisation advice for high-risk groups: respiratory, cardiac, oncology, post-transplant and other immunocompromised patients
- A BCG clinic is also available for children aged less than 5 years of age
Clinics are mostly held on Fridays. Please ensure you bring your Blue Book to record your child's immunisation. HNEkids Immunisation does not replace childhood vaccination services at your GP or Community Health Centre. Parents are encouraged to contact their local health care provider firstly for immunisation advice.
How to refer
Referrals for BCG vaccination should be submitted at least 6 months prior to travel.
All other scheduled appointments require a valid referral, preferably using the HNE Kids Immunisation referral template available here. Use SeNT eReferral to send referrals to HNELHD. If your GP management system does not support SeNT, you may FAX referral to 49 22 3904
HNEkids Immunisation Team
The team includes:
- A/prof Rani Bhatia- Consultant Paediatric Allergist and Immunologist
- Dr Coen Butters- Consultant Paediatric Infectious Diseases physician
- Kylie Pratt- Immunisation Nurse
- Chloe Gillies- Clinic coordinator
Looking for more information about immunisation?
Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) aims to support conversations with healthcare professionals about vaccination.
The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre provides a range of resources, including information about vaccine safety and needle phobia.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance provides factsheets and immunisation schedules.
The Raising Children website has information on preparing children and teenagers for vaccination.
Needle anxiety in children and young people
It’s common for children and young people to feel nervous or worried about vaccination. Most children can be immunised successfully at their GP of local Community Health Centre. Preparation, use of distraction techniques and understanding the cause of anxiety are important to successful immunisation.
Some useful resources include:
- Tips to help with vaccination from a Play Therapist
- The Royal Children’s Hospital information sheet on Needle Phobia
- The Super Meg! Poke Plan
Advice for Immunisation Providers
The NSW Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS) provides specialised immunisation advice to clinicians and providers across NSW. For timely advice, please 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 phone call as appropriate within 1 business day.
Adverse events following immunisation (for clinicians)
All uncommon, serious or unexpected adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) should be reported.
To report a suspected AEFI, please download the National Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) Reporting Form and contact the local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.