Details on when people in their 40s can register for a COVID-19 vaccine will be announced this week. The Health Service Executive has said it expects to start vaccinations for people in this group towards the end of the month, continuing into June.
The HSE also said it had received updated advice on whether to make the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines available to a wider cohort of people.
This would include those aged under 50. Both vaccines are currently recommended for those aged 50 and over. Around 230,000 people would benefit if the eligibility for the two vaccines was lowered to those aged between 45 and 49.