Acceleration of vaccination programme to be signed off on

The Health Minister's expected to sign off on a plan today that will accelerate the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

The HSE yesterday gave him a proposal for administering the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines to under-50s. 

18 to 49 year olds could opt to get one of these jabs - or wait for an mRNA vaccine.

Darragh O'Loughlin, from the Irish Pharmacy Union, welcomes the proposals. 

"I would hope that the Minister will sign off on the plan this morning and make his announcement.

"People are very anxious to see the vaccination expanded, pharmacists want to get started - they're already getting a lot of people making enquiries and coming in to make appointments to have their vaccination.

"I certainly see no reason why the Minister would delay beyond this morning for that announcement."