Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has accepted new recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee regarding Ireland's Covid vaccination programme.
The new recommendations will see people aged over 65 being offered a third booster dose of the Covid vaccine.
NIAC has also recommended that a second booster dose be offered to people aged between 50 and 64 and to people in the 12-49 age group who have underlying medical conditions or who are residents of long term care facilities.
READ MORE: Travel expert on which Irish passengers are due compensation after slew of cancellations
Healthcare workers and pregnant women will also be offered a second MRNA booster vaccine.
Those aged over 65 and people aged between 12 and 64 who are immunocompromised will be offered a third dose under the new recommendations.
A first MRNA booster dose will also be available for immunocompromised children between 5 and 11 years of age.
NIAC has also recommended that Covid vaccines may be given at the same time as the seasonal influenza vaccines and that booster doses should be given four months after a previous Covid vaccine dose or a previous natural infection.
In a statement, the Department of Health said: "A booster dose after an infection has been shown to provide additional protection. It continues to be recommended that people get and complete their primary vaccine course and booster shot(s) if they haven't already done so."
Speaking on the new recommendations, Minister Donnelly said: "I welcome today's update to Ireland's vaccination programme. We have very high protection in the population thanks to our successful vaccine programme.
"The Autumn vaccination programme will ensure we continue to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
"The evidence suggests that a second booster dose may reduce infection rates, which would benefit healthcare workers and help sustain the healthcare system coming into the winter months.
"The main purpose of vaccination is to prevent serious illness, hospitalisation and death. Hybrid immunity resulting from infection and booster vaccination confers stronger protection than infection alone. As such, I urge anyone yet to receive their primary course or booster vaccine do so as soon as possible."
Interim CMO, Professor Breda Smyth, said: "There is clear evidence that the Omicron variant has been less severe than previous variants due to the high uptake of vaccines. While we have seen a recent surge in infections, this has thankfully not translated into the same pressure on our hospitals and people getting severely unwell. COVID-19 vaccines have been remarkably effective in this regard."
READ NEXT :
Irishwoman driving rental car pulls over due to strange smell - and finds body
Gardai to launch full murder probe over tragic teacher's death in Limerick
Love Island's Jacques shares message after Adam and Paige step up relationship
Met Eireann predicts a lot of wet weather but pinpoints day for sunny spells
No surprise what Ireland's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire winner is up to now
