Booster vaccines for Covid-19 look set to be needed annually, according to the CEO of Pfizer.
Dr Albert Bourla has said that while work is ongoing in developing an omicron-specific vaccine, annual boosters would increase protection in the community.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr Bourla said: "Based on everything I have seen so far, I would say that annual vaccinations are likely to be needed to maintain a very robust and very high level of protection."
After the emergence of the Omicron variant, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee updated their booster recommendations to include anyone 16 - 59 with an underlying health condition, people aged 60 or over, long term care residents and healthcare workers.
Dr Bourla also believes children in school should be vaccinated with Covid surging in that setting.
"Covid in schools is thriving," he said.
"This is disturbing, significantly, the educational system, and there are kids that will have severe symptoms."
"So there is no doubt in my mind that the benefits, completely, are in favour of doing it."
So far, one case of the Omicron variant has been discovered in Ireland.
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