The Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has said it will be the end of the coming week before a conclusion is reached on whether to continue administering the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
Speaking on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor programme, Professor Karina Butler said they want to make sure what they are recommending for use is safe.
She said that the temporary suspension was necessary, until such a time they receive additional information that gives them confidence.
Prof Butler said that earlier this week, there were reports from other countries of clotting problems. However, she said that clotting problems can happen to people irrespective of whether they have the vaccine or not.