A one-shot Covid vaccine could be targeted at people who are reluctant to have the jab in areas hit by a surge in cases, it is understood.
The Johnson & Johnson jab works as a single dose, meaning recipients do not need to return for a second injection.
The UK has already ordered 30million doses of the Janssen jab, made by Johnson & Johnson, which is awaiting safety approval by British medical regulators is could get approval any day now.
It has been suggested the one-shot jab could be targeted at people who have previously refused offers of the vaccine, particularly in Covid 'hotspots'.
A health source told The Telegraph: “It will be a really useful addition, it could help us to catch up in areas where we have seen vaccine hesitancy, especially in areas which have seen surges.”
The Government will be able to give a timeline to people next week as to when all age groups can expect to receive their first dose of Covid vaccine, the Health Minister has said.
Stephen Donnelly said he intends to bring a revamped plan for the rollout of the vaccine to Cabinet ministers next week.
He also said he wants to see pharmacists being incorporated into the rollout of the vaccine, so that people can go to their local pharmacy to receive the jab.
The Department of Health is awaiting advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) about the use of the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs in various age cohorts, in particular those under the age of 50.
Earlier this month, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said: “It will be authorised as a single-dose schedule and that could potentially make it very important, rather than no vaccine, in populations that are hard to reach; basically where you have one chance of vaccinating them and little chance of calling them back for a second vaccine.”
