COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland: Epidemiology, public health restrictions and vaccination uptake

Kelly, David M; Stamenic, Danko; Mullane, Paul; Bhuachalla, Cliodhna Ni; Conway, Robert; Carroll, Ciara; O’Connor, Lois; Doyle, Sheila; Buckley, Claire; Kearney, Patricia M.

doi:10.12688/hrbopenres.13517.1

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“… 4 At the point of data collection (March–August 2021), Ireland had been struck by three COVID-19 waves, with the Irish government instigating national lockdown during periods of peak community transmission in waves 1 and 3. 6 Face-to-face out-patient clinics and general practice provision was curtailed and shifted rapidly to providing telemedicine assessments. 4 The third wave (December 2020–April 2021) marked the initial stages of the implementation of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy.…”

Section: Study Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work-related experiences of consultant psychiatrists during the COVID-19 response: qualitative analysis

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Research has begun to draw attention to the challenges mental health professionals faced in delivering services during the COVID-19 pandemic response. However, few studies have examined the specific experiences of consultant psychiatrists. Aims To examine the work-related experiences and psychosocial needs of consultant psychiatrists situated in the Republic of Ireland arising from the COVID-19 response. Method We interviewed 18 consultant psychiatrists and analysed data using inductive thematic analysis. Results Work-related experience of participants was characterised by increased workload associated with assumption of guardianship of physical and mental health of vulnerable patients. Unintended consequences of public health restrictions increased case complexity, limited availability of alternative supports and hindered the practice of psychiatry, including inhibiting peer support systems for psychiatrists. Participants perceived available psychological supports as generally unsuitable for their needs given their specialty. Long-standing under-resourcing, mistrust in management and high levels of burnout exacerbated the psychological burden of the COVID-19 response. Conclusions The challenges of leading mental health services were evident in the increased complexity involved in caring for vulnerable patients during the pandemic, contributing to uncertainty, loss of control and moral distress among participants. These dynamics worked synergistically with pre-existing system-level failures, eroding capacity to mount an effective response. The longer-term psychological well-being of consultant psychiatrists – as well as the pandemic preparedness of healthcare systems – is contingent on implementation of policies addressing long-standing under-investment in the services vulnerable populations rely on, not least community mental health services.

show abstract

Section: Study Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work-related experiences of consultant psychiatrists during the COVID-19 response: qualitative analysis

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“We're seen as part of the supply chain of medicines rather than as the professionals that we are”: The wellbeing of community pharmacists during the COVID response

O'Donnell,

Hayden,

Quigley

et al. 2024

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Data sources on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy on the island of Ireland: strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness

Kelly,

Given,

Arnott

et al. 2024

HRB Open Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Monitoring coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection and vaccination during pregnancy is vital because of the increased susceptibility to severe disease. This article outlines the available data sources on COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates during pregnancy in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and describes the processes, strengths, and weaknesses of available data. Methods Three data sources on COVID-19 vaccination and infection were identified in the ROI: the national computerized infectious disease reporting (CIDR) system used for reporting notifiable infectious diseases, the national dataset of all COVID-19 vaccinations for all residents (COVAX), and a regional Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System (MN-CMS), which includes data on COVID-19 vaccination and infection. Four data sources were identified in NI: the NI maternity system (NIMATS) records maternity data, including COVID-19 infection and vaccination during pregnancy; datasets of COVID-19 antigen testing performed in hospitals (Pillar 1) and in the community (Pillar 2); and the NI Vaccine Management System dataset of COVID-19 Vaccinations. Results In the ROI, the CIDR database allows for the calculation of COVID-19 infection rates in women of reproductive age; however, pregnancy status remains largely unreported. The COVAX dataset includes pregnancy status, although the accuracy depends on whether the pregnancy is known at the time of vaccination. The MN-CMS tracks COVID-19 infection and vaccination during pregnancy. However, there are uncertainties regarding its reliability. In NI, COVID-19 data are available for all pregnant women using Health and Care numbers to link the NIMATS data to testing and vaccination databases. Conclusions Both countries track COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates, but the strength of the NI system is the use of unique identification numbers that allow linkage of maternal records to infection and vaccination databases. Both countries face delays in data access, underscoring the need for real-time systems to support future pandemic preparedness.

show abstract

COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland: Epidemiology, public health restrictions and vaccination uptake

Cited by 3 publications

References 7 publications

Work-related experiences of consultant psychiatrists during the COVID-19 response: qualitative analysis

Work-related experiences of consultant psychiatrists during the COVID-19 response: qualitative analysis

“We're seen as part of the supply chain of medicines rather than as the professionals that we are”: The wellbeing of community pharmacists during the COVID response

Data sources on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy on the island of Ireland: strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About