The vaccine rollout may be changed to allow those under 30 to receive the jab sooner in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The move would be made ahead of a wider opening of society and in the hope that it would stop the disease spreading as crowds begin to mingle across Ireland.
If plans were approved, it would see those aged under 30 receive their vaccination ahead of those aged between 30 and 50.
Now health officials are being asked to look into the plan by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, the Irish Times reports.
There is a fear among health chiefs that when lockdown lifts and younger groups are meeting it could lead to a spike in disease among the age bracket under 30.
Minister Donnelly said he's asked the Department to look into the vaccination of younger groups in order to "reduce overall transmission as quickly as possible".
It is expected that from May 4 Ireland will begin to open back up with click and collect and outdoor retail making a return with outdoor dining and non-essential retail to follow later.
Yesterday a further 420 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Ireland bringing the total number of infections since the pandemic began to 242,819.
As of April 14 2021, 1,121,003 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:
- 789,526 people have received their first dose
- 331,477 people have received their second dose
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