European health officials have approved the use of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for the jab.
It's the second vaccine to get the thumbs up from Europe's medicines regulator after the Pfizer/BioNtech jab was approved in December.
Ireland plans to vaccinate around 10,000 people per week with the Moderna vaccine, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said in a Twitter post.
The government's current schedule is to vaccinate 135,000 people by the end of February with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the only COVID-19 vaccine currently approved for use in the country.
Ireland has ordered 880,000 doses of Moderna’s vaccine.
Emer Cooke, executive director of EMA said: "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency.
"It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO.
"As for all medicines, we will closely monitor data on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine to ensure ongoing protection of the EU public.
"Our work will always be guided by the scientific evidence and our commitment to safeguard the health of EU citizens."
For all the latest Covid-19 news, follow our dedicated LIVE BLOG.
