The news comes after it emerged the Beacon Hospital's chief executive personally phoned his children's private school to offer Covid-19 vaccines to staff.
Health Minister asks the HSE to suspend vaccination operations at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.
The Health Minister has said that Ireland’s vaccination programme is the most important public health programme in living memory and it is essential that the programme is run in accordance with the agreed prioritisation in order to maximise the benefit of the vaccination programme and the speed with which Ireland can emerge from COVID-19 measures.
Minister Stephen Donnelly added that “The provision of vaccines by the Beacon Hospital to a school was entirely inappropriate and completely unacceptable. I have considered this matter carefully and have worked with the HSE to assess the operational implications of suspending vaccine operations at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin”.
He has asked the HSE to suspend vaccine operations at the Beacon Hospital with the exception of those people who have already been scheduled to get their vaccine at the centre.
Alternative arrangements are being put in place by the HSE.
In addition the Health Minister has asked the HSE to appoint a senior official to immediately examine what happened and make recommendations regarding any actions or changes required.
