The Tánaiste has said a Covid-19 fourth vaccine is being considered for use in Ireland.
The vaccine would be intended for older people in those who are medically vulnerable, Mr Varadkar said, as a second wave of the Omicron variant sparks rising cases across Europe.
Mr Varadkar also ruled out the reimposing of government restrictions to deal with the current wave.
“This is another wave but we don’t anticipate it will necessitate the reimposition of restrictions, but other things need to continue,” he said, speaking at a commemoration on Sunday.
“We need to make sure that people have those boosters and third doses.”
There are currently more than 1,200 people with the virus in hospital and 49 confirmed Covid-19 patients in ICU.
Letterkenny University Hospital has the fourth highest number of Covid-19 patients today, with 83 cases onsite and one patient with the virus in ICU.