Taoiseach Micheal Martin has dubbed the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as a 'game changer' in the battle against Covid-19.
Mr Martin has offered some hope that the new jab which is under review by the European Medicines Agency awaiting approval, will help offer a return to normality for many.
The Taoiseach said that if approved a huge chunk of the population could potentially be vaccinated by summer saying they will have "a different life" once they have received it.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine requires just a single dose and can be stored in normal refrigerators.
If approved its hoped that Ireland will be able to significantly ramp up its vaccine rollout and potentially have millions receive the jab before December.
The EU has procured 200 million doses of the vaccine with the option to buy 200 million more, putting Ireland in line for roughly 2.2 million doses.
Speaking to TG4 he said: “Many people will have been vaccinated by the end of the summer and there is no doubt they will have a different life because of that."
Meanwhile, Cabinet was also told on Tuesday that if the AstraZeneca was approved for the 65-69 age group, that cohort could also be vaccinated by mid-May along with over 75s
Ireland's hospital figures have yet another dip as last night, there were 813 patients with Covid-19 being cared for in hospitals, which is down 48 cases on the same time yesterday morning.
The number of patients in ICU with the virus has also reduced to 151.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan added that the country is on track to see between 200-400 cases a day by the start of March.
