An Irish immunologist says it's "worth having a level-headed discussion" about moving young people up the vaccine priority list.
Liam Fanning, professor of immunovirology at UCC, says focusing on 16-35 year olds after the most vulnerable groups could reduce COVID-19 transmission in the community.
However, he stressed it would involve 'skipping' a small number of groups, in particular those aged between 55-64.
The current vaccine priority list focuses on several high-risk cohorts - including over 65s - before moving on to the likes of teachers and key workers.
It would then prioritise people aged 55-64, before moving to "workers in occupations important to the functioning of society" and everyone else aged between 18-54.
Professor Fanning told Newstalk Breakfast that it's vital to vaccinate the most vulnerable groups first.
However, he said it's important to discuss what should happen after that.
He said: “One of the leading objectives is to reduce severe disease and hospitalisations - the vaccines seem to do that in abundance. In fact, they seem to do that with an extraordinary degree of efficacy.
“The 16-35 group would cover Leaving Cert students and university students, those who are most active in society, and those who have given up a lot of their life experiences for the protection of others during this pandemic.
“I think it’s worthwhile now having a conversation… the most infectious are currently in the under 45s.”
Professor Fanning said the benefits of the approach would be that young people wouldn't pass the virus to older people, and that the likes of the Leaving Cert exams could go ahead 'much more safely'.
He pointed to data showing most cases in Ireland are occurring among younger people.
He added: “The data coming out of Israel is really spectacular with regards to the reduction in infection among those who have been vaccinated.
“I think the data is overwhelming that vaccinated individuals are in a cohort where there’s less infections - when there’s less infection, there’s less opportunity for transmission.”
