Calls to set up national vaccination register

A national vaccination register should be set up to ensure exact details are readily available about people in the grip of virus outbreaks such as that at the Nazareth House nursing home.

The Irish Patients Association made the call after six older people died and 27 more were infected by flu at the private elderly care facility in Buncrana, Co Donegal.

Two of the six who died were aged between 85 and 98 and did not receive a flu vaccine this winter.

It is unclear how many of the 27 other residents affected by the influenza type A (H3) outbreak, which began on Mar 22 but was not reported to the HSE until Apr 1, had received the vaccine.

IPA chairman Stephen McMahon said a register should be prioritised so “appropriate details can be logged about every person who is vaccinated”.

“In times of emergency or public health concerns, such a register will provide real-time feedback. The only existing source of information is a ‘not fit for purpose’ accounting system.”

Meanwhile, the Health Information Quality Authority confirmed its “triggered inspection report” on the outbreak will focus on:

* Why it took so long for the nursing home to contact authorities;

* Why a resident was admitted after four deaths occurred;

* If HIQA and HSE guidelines were followed;

* Why healthy residents were not separated from those who were ill until the HSE became involved on Sunday evening.