Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said there would be no additional supplies of mRNA vaccines in July for Ireland, but that there could be an increase in the third quarter.
He said the emphasis was now on delaying the impact of the Delta variant by expanding the vaccination roll-out through younger age cohorts, in particular through the use of AstraZeneca and Janssen doses.
Speaking in Brussels, he said the issue for member states was "can you delay the variant to get more vaccinations done?".
"Vaccination is the weapon here to protect against the Delta variant," he said.
He said Ireland was fortunate to have a high uptake of vaccinations among more vulnerable groups.
This was "giving us protection, but obviously we need to get down to the younger age cohorts more quickly if we possibly can, and get them protected".
On the second day of an EU summit, Mr Martin said there was "some research going on" in terms of mixing of vaccines, and that he had spoken to the Chief Medical Officer about administering vaccines to younger age groups.
He said: "Operationally what we've been doing has been very effective and very efficient, coming down through the age cohorts, [with] very high uptake rates.
"And I know that the Chief Medical Officer ... indicated to me that he would be engaging with NIAC in respect of the application for administering vaccines in terms of age restrictions and particularly the context of AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), and that would really broaden the portfolio of vaccines available for July and August," he told reporters on day two of an EU summit."
Quoting the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mr Martin said the experience of the Delta variant there was not accompanied by a rise in hospitalisation and critical care.
"A lot of data is still being collected, but I think that's the most practical exercise that's under way at the moment," he said.
