Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine approved by the the European Medicines Agency 

It says the single dose vaccine can be administered for those aged 18 years and over

The European Commission says it will move quickly to grant approval for use in the EU.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly's welcomed the move and says Ireland has an advance purchase agreement for 600,000 doses between April and June.

Dr Gerald Barry, an assistant professor of virology in UCD, is also welcoming the news.