The Health Service Executive has confirmed that around 450,000 people who are awaiting a second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will receive it over the next five weeks.
The HSE said it has put into operation this week the updated advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to reduce dose intervals of the vaccine from 12 to eight weeks.
It follows on from a recent change in the gap between the two doses from 16 to 12 weeks.
In a statement, the HSE said it plans to have the second doses completed by the week beginning 19 July.
"Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme which will now see the remaining approximately 450,000 people in receipt of the AZ vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose by the week of 19 July next."
Earlier, Labour leader Alan Kelly said it must be an "absolute priority" for Government to ensure that second vaccinations are given to people in their 60s or those who are at high risk.
He contended that it "does not make any sense" for the Government to continue with the inoculation of those who are less vulnerable.
Mr Kelly said that people who are older than him will have to lead a "different life" and this is not fair.
Also in the Dáil earlier, the Taoiseach said that close to 58% of adults have had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
He said the vaccine programme had a "high level" of participation and "this is giving a very good level of protection to society".
The HSE was shortening the gap between AstraZeneca doses, he said, adding that it would finish administering the second dose of AstraZeneca three or four weeks earlier than planned.
Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive said it expects to resume publishing daily vaccination figures next week after it was affected by the cyber attack.
The last detailed HSE vaccination figures were published on 11 May.
According to figures released today from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Ireland is at 3.1 million.
This is out of 3.8 million doses distributed to Ireland.
The ECDC said the figures are as of today and show that over 80% of the vaccines have been administered.
The breakdown of vaccines given is:
Pfizer - 2.067,012
AstraZeneca - 706,109
Moderna - 265,152
Janssen - 71,775
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