title: Standards of yellow fever vaccination and travel medicine practice in the Republic of Ireland: A questionnaire-based evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Department of Health regulates the designation of yellow fever vaccination centres (YFVCs) in the Republic of Ireland to ensure appropriate standards in the safe, effective use of yellow fever vaccine for overseas travellers. The process of designation of YFVCs is delegated to Directors of Public Health who direct Principal Medical Officers. Variation in implementation of specific criteria for designation exists and no formal follow up inspection is carried out. This survey of all designated YFVCs in the Republic of Ireland aimed to assess compliance with standards to ensure the objectives of the national yellow fever vaccination programme were met.
  
  
  METHODS
  A piloted questionnaire devised from a United Kingdom (UK) YFVC survey was developed and tested in five YFVCs. The questionnaire was adapted for the postal survey and captured data on professional training, reference sources, services provided, physical facilities and supplies, and was distributed to 655 YFVCs in a stamped addressed envelope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period 2010-2011, there were 655 designated YFVCs in the Republic of Ireland. Responses were received from 246 centres (38% response rate), 91% of which were in general practice. Deficiencies were identified in respect of vaccine refrigeration protocols, record keeping, attendance at YFVC training sessions, and clinical protocols for adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific deficiencies in relation to training, vaccine storage, administration and documentation should be addressed to ensure standardised YFVC practices and thus align them with best international practice.
authors.affiliation: Regional Occupational Health Service, Health Service Executive, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Noone
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamza
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: gerard.flaherty@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flaherty
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D022341:Yellow Fever Vaccine
chemical_list: D022341:Yellow Fever Vaccine
keywords: Regulations; Standards; Travel medicine practice; Vaccination; Yellow fever