The Covid-19 booster vaccination is to be offered to anyone aged 18-49, the Health Service Executive has confirmed.
It comes as the country’s hospitals remain under severe pressure with significant numbers of people waiting for admission on trolleys in emergency departments.
The overcrowding is being driven by a rise in respiratory infections, including Covid and the flu.
At 8pm yesterday, there were 690 patients with Covid in the country’s hospitals, which was down on the previous day.
The HSE has said anyone aged 18-49 can make an appointment for their second Covid-19 booster dose at the HSE website, with appointments available from today.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, HSE Chief Operating Officer Dr Colm Henry said the programme is being opened up to everyone.
“We’re inviting them to book online today for that second booster, provided they haven’t had a booster or been sick with Covid in the last six months,” he said.
