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GERALD HERBERT/AP/Press Association Images

IPA calls for a national vaccination register to be established

Following several deaths at a Donegal nursing home, the IPA has called for a national vaccination register to be set up to provide real time feedback in times of emergency.

A NATIONAL VACCINATION register should be set up in order to collate vital information that could help during outbreaks of infectious diseases, according to the Irish Patients Association (IPA).

The call follows the deaths of six elderly residents from influenza type A at the Nazareth House private care facility in Buncrana, Co Donegal. A total of 27 residents were affected by the outbreak which began on 22 March but was not reported to the HSE until 1 April –  after five patients had already died.

Yesterday, the HSE confirmed that 11 people at the home are still suffering from respiratory symptoms attributed to influenza.

Two of the six people who died had not received a flu vaccine over the winter period.

The IPA called on the Minister for Health James Reilly to set up a national vaccination register, as well as a serious incident review body that could investigate events like those at Nazareth House. The organisation said that, in times of emergency or public health concerns, a national vaccination register could provide real time feedback – whereas the only existing source of information was a “not fit for purpose” accounting system.

The IPA also urged all healthcare workers and visitors to nursing homes or hospitals to ensure that they are vaccinated against influenza.

In the meantime, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) has confirmed that it is to investigate the events at Narareth House – with particular focus on:

  • Why there was a delay in the authorities being informed about the outbreak
  • Why a new resident was admitted during the outbreak
  • Why healthy residents were not separated from those who had fallen ill

At a European level, concerns have been raised about the current strain of influenza type A: the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) recently reported that the strain circulating in the Northern Hemisphere had changed slightly and is an “imperfect fit” with the corresponding component of the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Eleven residents at Donegal nursing home suffering with flu symptoms>

Health watchdog visits Donegal nursing home after six deaths in two weeks>

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:38 PM

    I’ve read it, read it, read it….

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    Mute Trevor W
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:47 PM

    @Ciarán Masterson: hahaha. Well done

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:55 PM

    @Trevor W:

    Thank you.

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    Mute Emilio Butler
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:21 PM

    A truly remarkable story, and nonfiction. I find it terribly sad, how extinction is under our noses

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    Mute Ron North
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:01 PM

    I know how you feel little guy, I hope there is someone out there for both of us.

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    Mute Liberal Larry
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:54 PM

    @Ron North: awh… (heartbreak emoji)

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    Mute Myk_Oval_Balls_nRyt
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    Feb 13th 2018, 6:18 PM

    @Ron North: Pizza will always be there for you Ron, Always**whispers**

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    Mute Paul Culligan
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:27 PM

    Would you say that, if you put him back where you found him, he might know where the moths are hidin’. Just because we can’t find them, doesn’t mean Romeo can’t sniff them out. Mind you, he probably has Alzheimers by now.

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    Mute George Oscar Bluth
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:35 PM

    Incredible yet the Bolivian tree lizard thrives on a diet of pigeons. It’s at the point where we need wave after wave of Chinese needle snake to prevent us from being overrun.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Feb 13th 2018, 1:21 AM

    and I thought I was lonely…..get this frog a mate!!!

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    Mute Mary Lyons
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:51 PM

    I’m glad it’s not the same problem in the pond in my back garden! It’s a veritable love in at the moment!

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    Mute Jim Doherty
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:57 PM

    Darn it, never thought I’d have so much in common with a frog, know how that little guy feels

    26
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    Mute Jim Doherty
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:58 PM

    @Jim Doherty: hmmm..that loses lot of its meaning without the emoticon attached!

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:40 PM

    Damn… Hope he gets his hole before he croaks.

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    Mute Gary Byrnes
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    Feb 13th 2018, 3:39 AM

    Is there a link

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:19 PM

    I’m sure there’s a willing female pig out there

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    Mute Oretani Wildlife
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:12 PM

    More crap editing from the Journal. The picture is probably a European Tree Frog and is nothing like the frog the story is about.

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    Mute Oretani Wildlife
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:19 PM

    @Oretani Wildlife: Correction, it’s a Hipsiboas riojanus, endemic to Argentina. Still crap editing.

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    Mute Joe Conlon
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:23 PM

    @Oretani Wildlife: hop along Oretani

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    Mute Red hurley
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    Feb 13th 2018, 7:48 AM

    Mmmmmmmmm frogs legs in garlic.

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    Mute Joseph Blocks
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    Feb 12th 2018, 10:55 PM

    What’s the fuss? Frogs can change sex anyway. He can impregnate himself.

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    Mute Dae Monicus
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:42 PM

    @Joseph Blocks: Interesting fact that Joseph, if only Kermit knew that when Miss Piggy finally told him to go f@#k himself he wouldn’t be such an emotional wreck.

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