Green light given to reduce time between doses of AstraZeneca vaccine

It will reduce from 12 weeks to 8 weeks

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says there will be a gradual reduction in the interval between the first and second doses in the coming weeks.

Minister Donnelly says the move will benefit in excess of 400,000 people who are waiting for their second jab.

Further detailed planning on this aspect of the COVID-19 vaccination programme will take place over the weekend.

529 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Ireland with 28 patients in ICU