Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said vaccines that have been adapted to Covid-19 variants are set to be introduced to the booster programme from next month.
The recommendations were made by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to the interim Chief Medical Officer, Professor Breda Smyth.
NIAC has now recommended authorised adapted bivalent vaccines for all those aged 12 years and older who are eligible for a booster.
First dose boosters are being offered to everyone aged 12 and older, and to five to 11-year-olds with a weak immune system. A second booster is being offered to those aged 50 to 64, those aged 12 years or older with a condition that puts them at a high risk of serious illness from Covid, women who are at least 16 weeks pregnant, healthcare workers and those aged 12 or older who are living in a long-term care facility.