The chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) says the option of mandatory vaccination should be kept under review.
Professor Karina Butler was speaking as the Taoiseach Micheál Martin ruled out the prospect of mandatory COVID-19 vaccines in Ireland - saying the country will stick with a "voluntary system".
He also said the Government hopes to get through the Omicron wave without fresh restrictions, but suggested the 8.00pm curfew for indoor events will not be lifted this week.
He was speaking after it emerged that NPHET is set to discuss the issue of mandatory vaccination.
Prof Butler told The Hard Shoulder vaccines may have to be mandatory for certain groups.
"It's never our preferred route to have mandatory vaccinations - it's always much better if people can have the information, the benefits can be clearly explained to them and that they decide.
"I think that has worked extremely well in this country, we have such high vaccination rates in the country.
"Having said that, it is reasonable that the pros and cons of such an approach should be kept under review.
"Sometimes there might be situations where vaccination might be required of a group or certain groups because you want to ensure the safety of all in the environment.
"There's been no change in policy in this regard as of now - and it certainly would be our preference that people can make the decision".
And Prof Butler says any such change, around mandating certain groups of people, is being looked at.
"I think the groups and the Department of Health are reviewing the pros and cons.
"I can't imagine that there would be any need for any kind of universal mandatory vaccination.
"And I think, really, given our uptake rates and what is happening and the continued uptake by people - who maybe were hesitant in the first go off, but now with the mounting evidence of the benefit of vaccinations and clearly seeing it - and the accruing safety data on the vaccines of course, even those who might have been reluctant in the beginning are still continuing to come forward for vaccination, and I think that's really excellent".
