The Taoiseach has said the Oxford / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine won't arrive in Ireland until the middle of next month at the earliest.
That assumes it is approved by the European Medicines Agency at the end of this month.
European health officials are widely expected to give the green light for the vaccine's use when they meet on January 29th.
The Government has been in talks to secure early delivery of supplies so they could start vaccinating rapidly after approval.
However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the country will be waiting a few more weeks for deliveries to arrive.
Speaking in the Dáil, he said: "We have a much more comprehensive and detailed plan in terms of ramping up the volume for the next phase [of vaccination], particularly after the authorisation - hoping that will go well - of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"[That] should be on the 29th from the EMA... and then delivery for mid-February."
He said other vaccines are then likely to be authorised in the coming months, while supplies of already approved vaccines will increase.
Unlike the already approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the AstraZeneca one does not need to be stored in ultra-cold temperatures.
As a result, it's hoped that the vaccines will be able to more rapidly deployed to sites across the country, and Micheál Martin says it should be a 'game changer'.
The Government yesterday signed off on a plan for GPs and pharmacists to administer vaccines, with the Taoiseach pledging there will be vaccination centres in communities as well.
Mr Martin also said he doesn't see how a dedicated Junior Minister for vaccines would help the current situation, and that the only constraint on the current vaccine rollout is supply.
