Minister Stephen Donnelly said analysis is being done on whether those in their 40s could potentially get vaccinated at the same time as those in their 50s, who will have to wait for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. "What we are thinking through is, in several weeks' time, is there an option to begin vaccinating for example the 40-49 cohort in parallel [to the 50 to 59 year olds]?" he said on RTÉ's Claire Byrne Show.
The Department of Health is "running the numbers" today and over the weekend. Mr Donnelly said another "really positive thing" is the opening of the vaccination portal for those aged 50-59 next week .
While he said not enough Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for that age group right now, there will be "plenty of vaccines"