Fourth Covid vaccine dose recommended for over 65s

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) has recommended a fourth Covid vaccine dose for everyone aged 65 and older.

It has also recommended that anyone over the age of 12 who is immunocompromised receive a second booster dose. Children aged five to 11 who are immunocompromised should complete an extended primary course, which is a total of three vaccine doses.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly received the latest advice last night and welcomed the update.

He told RTE’s Morning Ireland that the vaccine doses will be rolled out quickly.

“NIAC has advised ideally that there would be a six-month gap between this new booster and the last one, but it could be four months where that is appropriate.

“So we’ll be looking to put that in place now, very quickly with HSE.”