The Beacon Hospital has ‘unreservedly apologised’ for the upset caused by the decision to give vaccines to teachers at a private school.

It emerged last week that the hospital had administered up to 20 ‘leftover’ vaccine doses to teachers at St Gerard's Catholic School in Bray.

The children of the hospital’s CEO Michael Cullen attend the private school.

In a statement the hospital bord said it was launching an independent review into what happened.

“The Board of Beacon Hospital unreservedly apologises to our patients, staff and the wider community for the upset caused by the vaccination of teachers in the Beacon Vaccination Centre,” it said.

It said it was appointing Eugene McCague, former Managing Partner and Chairman of Arthur Cox and former Board member of the HSE to conduct an “independent review.”

“Upon completion of the Review, the non-executive members of the Board will consider its findings and will at that time take any necessary actions required,” it said.

Last week, the Dublin hospital confirmed it had administered vaccines to the teachers, insisting there were spare doses that had to be used at short notice.

Later that day, it confirmed that doses were also given to creche workers located on the hospital campus.

This afternoon, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said what had happened was ‘unacceptable’ and ‘repugnant.’

There have since been calls from opposition parties, including Sinn Fein and Labour, for Mr Cullen to resign from his position.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has asked for the vaccine programme at the hospital to be suspended.

The controversy caused much anger and frustration among the public and relatives of patients at the Beacon Hospital.