The boosters had previously only been offered to the over-30s, or those over 16 who received a primary dose of the single-shot Janssen vaccine.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has brought forward the schedule for over-16s, beating the original date of January 10th by eight days.
"Pleased to announce we’re opening our booster vaccine programme to ALL remaining age groups earlier than scheduled," Donnelly wrote on Twitter. "From this Sunday (January 2) all those aged 16 and older who are eligible to receive a booster vaccine can access this service via HSE vaccination centres. GPs and community pharmacies will also be providing this service, on an appointment basis. Would like to thank healthcare staff and the public for their huge support of our vaccine programme. We’ve the second highest uptake of boosters in the EU. Thank you all."
Pleased to announce we’re opening our booster vaccine programme to ALL remaining age groups earlier than scheduled. From this Sunday (January 2) all those aged 16 and older who are eligible to receive a booster vaccine can access this service via HSE vaccination centres 1/2
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 31, 2021
From today, anyone over 16 can receive a booster vaccine by appointment through vaccination centres, their GP or pharmacies, or at walk-in clinics.
With the Moderna jab approved for those over 30 only, anyone aged between 16 and 29 will receive the Pfizer booster.
Three months must have passed since receiving your primary dose or recovering from COVID before you can receive a booster.
Over two million booster vaccines have been administered in Ireland to date.
