Ireland is close to finalising a deal to buy one million vaccines from the Romanian government, the Irish Mirror has confirmed.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach has said Micheal Martin has consistently been making every effort and working with his counterparts across Europe to increase the number of vaccines made available to Ireland.
He said: “As part of this process the Taoiseach had a good discussion this morning with his EU counterpart, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and they agreed in principle to the purchase of one million vaccines.
“This process is continuing and is yet to be completed.
“He will continue to work with his government colleagues to expedite the vaccine programme.
“This includes discussions with the European Commission and with Member States, particularly those who may have potential surpluses.
“Ensuring that as many people as possible can get vaccinated as quickly as possible remains the best way to combat Covid-19, particularly given the rapid rise of the Delta variant.”
The Irish Mirror understands that the deal is for mRNA vaccines.
The boost for Ireland comes just hours after Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said pharmacies across the country can begin to administer Johnson and Johnson vaccines to people aged 18-34 years from Monday.
Minister Donnelly has also said that the State expects to open the online portal on Monday week, July 12, for people aged 18 - 34 years to opt in if they want to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
He said: "We are adding an opt in model for people aged 18-34 for Janssen and AstraZeneca so they can be vaccinated earlier.
"And what it means is that people aged 18 - 34 can now be vaccinated one to two months earlier which is a huge, huge benefit to them and our entire society in the face of this Delta surge that we are told is coming."
He said "we now have two tracks" - the portal will open next Friday for 30-34-year-olds.
He said: "Vaccinations with mRNA, mainly Pfizer and Moderna will start about a week later..in parallel to that, we're opening up AstraZeneca and Janssen opt in if people want to get vaccinated earlier for the entire 18-34-year-old group."
He said next Monday, people aged between 18 - 34 who have registered with one of 750 pharmacies for a vaccine, can begin to get administered the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
