Rachel Flynn: Lack of real-time information undermining our vaccine rollout and healthcare

Lack of real time system integration and system being out of sync is a common issue with the health information systems. This was highlighted through the HSE issuing appointments to people that have received vaccinations and not having accurate data at a national level on the uptake, writes Rachel Flynn - Hiqa’s Director of Health Information and Standards

Queues at City Hall in Cork for the walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinic recently. At a national level, we need accurate information to prevent duplicate vaccination appointments being booked and continue to rollout the vaccination programme. Photo: Larry Cummins

Right now, people across Ireland can make or receive multiple vaccine appointments from the Health Service Executive (HSE), their general practitioner (GP), and from their local pharmacy. 

The lack of system integration has impacted people by receiving vaccination appointments after they have been vaccinated. It has impacted the vaccination centres as people are not showing up for their appointments due to the lack of a cancelation feature. It has also lead to confusion and a lack of accurate information with regards to the update of vaccination at a national level.