Delivering the Swine Flu Vaccine to large numbers of people in late 2009 represented a unique and enormous logistical challenge for our Health Service. The HSE would like to thank all the participating GPs and their staff and all the HSE vaccinators and support staff for delivering an excellent service. Below are a selection of the hundreds of comments received from the public about the website and the vaccine clinics.

"I have just had my swine flu vaccine in the Education Centre in Tallaght Hospital between 10 and 11 this morning, I could not believe how efficient the whole operation was run, the friendliness of staff, how quick I was seen to and dealt with, it took from start to finish 30 minutes in all. Well done again and keep up the good work".

"I tried to get an appointment to get the Anti-Swine Flu vaccination from my GP and a friend suggested checking out the HSE web site. The service is magnificent, I booked on-line, got my confirmation, went to Ballymun and left less than an hour later including 20 minutes recuperation time as I felt a little off. No hassle, fast, friendly and professional - a brilliant customer service experience"

"Was in the Swine Flu center in Tullamore for vaccines for my young children yesterday and just wanted to compliment the staff there as all were so very helpful,cheerful and efficent considering the task before them, in the current climate where public sector workers seem to always be on the receiving end of bad press I think it is important to highlight efficiencies and good service where it is provided so please pass on my compliments to whom it concerns"

"I must truly compliment the staff that are running the Swine flu vaccination clinic in Tallaght Hospital. They were so helpful, courteous and kind to my family and looked after us so well on both our visits there. My daughter became a little ill after it and they were so thorough in checking her out. Congratulations to you all, what a fantastic team you all are".

"Just want to congratulate the staff of the Ballymun Health Centre for the way the whole administration of the swine flu jab was done. I booked my son in (he has asthma) online. It was acknowledged, I got a reminder the night before by e mail, I arrived at the health centre in Ballymun and the whole operation from form filling to confirmation that he had no of allergies etc. to administering the vaccine was - well, not quite a pleasure for him- but it was wonderful. It is so brilliant to see something being done well in this country. I had to cnontact you (and CC Liveline!) because you get enough bad press, you should be praised when praise is due".

"Being able to book online and getting a confirming email is great. Well done. I am impressed with your organisation and planning".

"I attended for Swine Flu vaccination at your centre at the Neptune arena in Cork today, and would like to compliment everyone involved in process. It was well organised from beginning to end. Everyone was treated with respect and dignity and the whole operation was carried without fuss or confusion. Staff were pleasant and informative, and went out of their way to allay any worries people may have had. You deserve great credit".

"I would just like to say that in relation to the swine flu jabs I think that you have done a great job. The website is very impressive, very easy to use and an immediate response leaving you in no doubt. The directions to the health centre that I chose (Bru Chaoimhin, Cork St) were very helpful and appreciated. The clinic while we were there was very smoothly run if a little hectic at times,and all the staff on duty were very pleasant and helpful.The wait was minimal even though it was busy and the doctor I saw was very nice and very aware that she was giving injections to young children/ babies and made the whole thing relatively easy for me and my three children".

Constructive Comments were also received and acted upon where possible.

'I have made an appointment on your website and am unable to cancel it.'
In this case, an email link was added to the booking page, which can be used to communicate cancellations to clinics.

'I sent my children with my mother to a HSE clinic for their vaccine and was disappointed that since parental consent was needed, I had to visit a second time to give that consent. You should make this information clearer'.
This website was amended to clarify that parents of under 16s should attend the clinic as a parent/guardian must consent to vaccination in writing.

'You should provide links to external evidence for your comments on safety'.
The Vaccine Safety page was amended to provide links to international sites with vaccine safety data, and the Irish Medicines Board.

Thanks to all our clients who took the time to contact us on infoline1@hse.ie