People aged 40 and over will be able to book a booster vaccine appointment from Sunday.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says they will be able to access boosters in vaccination centres, GPs and pharmacies.

He says this will be available using a mixed model of appointments and walk-in clinics.

Minister Donnelly says: "We had scheduled that booster vaccination for people in their 40s would begin in the week of 27th December.

"This is now being brought forward to this Sunday, 19th December.

"Vaccination centres will begin walk-ins for this age group – details including locations and opening times for vaccine centres are available on www.hse.ie.

"GPs and pharmacies are also offering boosters to these age groups."

He adds: "I've been working with the HSE to significantly increase capacity in recent weeks, and we have witnessed significant increases in the numbers getting boosters, with over 160,000 administered in the past three days.

"It is welcome to see so many people presenting for a booster vaccination before Christmas."