The HSE has said it expects to invite people aged 18-24 to register for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine appointment online from next week.
It comes as the national portal opened today for the same age group who want to opt in to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
While pharmacies across the country continue to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to anyone aged over 18.
The vaccine portal is currently live for people aged 25 and over who want to receive a Pfizer and Moderna jab.
According to HSE boss Paul Reid, over 5.1 million vaccines have been administered and over 63% of adults are now fully vaccinated.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has described the system as a “two track” approach to vaccinating young people as different age groups are now being vaccinated in parallel.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines could be administered to people aged 18-34 last month due to fears surrounding the transmissibility of the Delta variant in unvaccinated people.
NIAC, who advises the State on vaccines, initially put limitations on the use of the AstraZeneca jab and the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine over rare blood clotting events.
However, after further data analysis and fears that unvaccinated people, mostly young people, are at risk of contracting the Delta variant, NIAC informed the government that young people could be given the option to receive AstraZeneca and the J&J jabs.
Chair of NIAC, Professor Karina Butler said although people can opt in to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Pfizer and Moderna jabs are preferred for younger people.
She explained at a NPHET briefing last week that it is “absolutely still the same and it hasn’t changed” that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferred for younger people, however, they have an option now due to growing concerns of the risks associated with getting infected with Covid-19.
Prof Butler said: “Therefore, this was given as an option for young people who felt they couldn't control their exposure or risk because, if someone feels they can wait for their mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) that is the preference for those in those young age cohorts.
“That is absolutely still the same and it hasn't changed.
“But with the increasing rates of infection in the community and for those who can’t control their exposure of risk then undoubtedly the benefits then tip in favour of getting the vaccine and that is what has happened.”
