All of the major prevalent Covid-19 variants have been given new names.
The HSE and the World Health Organisation say that the labels aim to prevent calling coronavirus variants by the places where they are originally detected, which is "stigmatizing and discriminatory".
Currently, Ireland has cases associated with four different variants of concern.
But they will now be known by different names, instead of the country in which they originated.
They are the following:
The UK variant - B 1.17
This will now be known as Alpha.
This was first detected back in September of 2020.
The South African variant - B.1.351
The so-called 'South African variant' will now be referred to as the Beta variant.
Original samples of the strain were found in May of 2020.
The Brazilian variant - P.1
Cases of the Brazilian variant were discovered here earlier this year, but it first originated back in November.
Now, it will be referred to as Gamma.
The Indian variant - B.1.617.2
This is the most prevalent strain at the moment, with the UK in particular struggling to control it.
However, vaccinations have proven to work against all of the above, including the Indian variant, which will now be known as Delta.
Meanwhile, pharmacies will be administering vaccinations from this month, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.
Mr Donnelly was speaking in the Seanad on Tuesday when he made the announcement.
He also confirmed that the registration portal for 40 to 44 year olds would open this week for them to get their first dose.
