The head of the HSE has insisted that people deemed to be at high risk due to serious illness will be vaccinated from the middle of this week.
Paul Reid said the rollout will begin with 10,000 jabs being given to people who have neurological issues and disabilities.
Mr Reid stated potentially up to 150,000 of those who are in the high-risk category will be inoculated.
He also stressed the HSE is actively working through a list to identify people who are thought to be most at risk and who have chronic illnesses.
Mr Reid told This Week on RTE Radio One: “This could be a very high number, well over 150,000, particularly the ones who are at very high risk, and we’re working through those lists with hospitals.
“Next week we’ll be administering about 10,000 vaccines to people who fall into that very high-risk category overall.
“In essence in the first week it will be people probably with intellectual, neurological issues, particularly in disability settings and homes.”
Mr Reid added a small number of people over 85 still have to receive their first jab, but he is hopeful they will be vaccinated by next week.
For the latest news and breaking news visit dublinlive.ie/news.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DublinLive - the official Dublin Live Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/dublinlive - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the capital.
