Pharmacists are finally set to join the frontline of vaccine providers.
The final details were agreed at Cabinet on Wednesday morning that will see 1,350 qualified pharmacists start administering jabs from next Monday.
This is also the day that the vaccines portal will open for people in their 30s for the first time.
People aged between the ages of 35 and 39 will be invited to register for a jab.
It will mark another milestone in the battle against Covid and the drive to reopen society, as vaccination rates are set to tip 250,000 again next week.
A Government spokesman said: “It is expected that Community Pharmacies will be operational in the vaccination programme in the week commencing June 14.
“1000 pharmacies will administer J&J for remaining people in the over-50 cohort.
“350 pharmacies will assist Vaccination Centres to administer Pfizer vaccine in communities that are distant from the nearest centre.
“This week, the plan is to distribute between 250,000 and 270,000 vaccines.”
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Cabinet ministers were also told that more than 53% of eligible adults have a first dose, 26% a second dose.
And progress is being made in the vaccination programme for pregnant women too.
Around 30,000 pregnant women (between 14 and 36 weeks) are now being targeted for vaccination, with 5200 achieved so far this week.
Socially vulnerable groups such as Travellers and Roma communities are being offered via GPs or Vaccination Centres.
Vaccinations are also being rolled out in Irish prisons.
