The Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines have been approved for use in over-50s.
Cabinet ministers signed off on the move this morning following advice from NIAC.
The single-shot Johnson and Johnson jab can also be used for under-50s when other vaccines are not available.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says it's a boost for the vaccine programme over the coming months:
"It essentially means we have 600,000 vaccines for quarter two that we didn't have this morning."
He continued, "The recommendations from NIAC that both vaccines, J&J and AstraZeneca, are good."
Adding, "They are safe vaccines and the benefits clearly outweigh the risks."
The Taoiseach says it's now "full steam ahead" for the vaccine roll-out plan now that they have 600,000 vaccines this afternoon they didn't have this morning
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) April 27, 2021
Pregnant Women To Get Faster Access
Meanwhile, women between 14 and 36 weeks pregnant are to be offered faster access to the Covid vaccine.
That's following new advice.
Health minister Stephen Donnelly says officials are now working out when they can get the jab.
"We only got the advice last night, so we'll work with the HSE now to put the protocols in place, to make that happen."
🚘 Junior Minister Niall Collins has called on his Government colleagues to lift the ban on inter-country travel.
He's told @NTBreakfast that safe activites are not allowed to happen because of where people are - he gave the example of surfing.— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) April 27, 2021
Limerick TD Calls For Inter County Travel
As has been well flagged, hairdressers non-essential retail and mass look set to resume operating in May.
However some junior ministers have called for inter county travel.
Limerick's Niall Collins says people are restricted in what they can do:
"A lot of people from Limerick would have mobile homes in Kilkee or Ballybunion, places like this."
Additionally, he says people in Charleville can travel 20km into Limerick, or 250km the other way within Cork.
Meanwhile the Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath says it’ll be considered but made no promises.
"I've no doubt in the weeks and months ahead, we'll make progress on all of those issues."
However he says he can't be specific right now, but will be having further discussions over the next 48 hours.
🆕Letter from chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, to the health minister: ‘The community test positivity has plateaued at an elevated level over the past three weeks...The situation remains concerning.’ pic.twitter.com/DSunMGFzMd
— Eoghan Murphy (@eoghanymurphy) April 27, 2021
It comes as the Chief Medical Officer says the Covid situation in Ireland remains concerning.
However it is currently stable or improving.
