An investigation has found that the VHI Chief Executive was vaccinated for no other reason than his vulnerability to the virus.

John O’Dwyer stepped aside from his role in late March after it emerged he was vaccinated at the Beacon Hospital.

The hospital was facing criticism at the time after it emerged 20 leftover vaccines were given to teachers at a private school, attended by the children of its CEO.

After reports of Mr O’Dwyer’s vaccination emerged, the Board of the VHI launched an independent investigation.

It said he had been treated at the hospital for oesophageal cancer and had agreed to step aside for the duration of the investigation.

This afternoon it was confirmed that the investigation, led by Senior Counsel Mark Connaughton, found no evidence to suggest he had been vaccinated for “any reason other than his vulnerability by reason of his medical conditions and recent cancer.”

He will now resume his role as CEO of the health insurer.

“The Board would like to thank Mr O’Dwyer for his cooperation throughout the process and for offering to step aside for the duration of the process and look forward to him returning to the helm of the organisation in the days ahead,” the board said in a statement.

At the time of Mr O’Dwyer’s vaccination, the people eligible for the jab were those aged over 65 in long-term care, those aged over 70, frontline healthcare workers and people aged over 16 who were considered at very high risk.