The Health Minister has authorised COVID vaccine booster shots for healthcare workers.

Stephen Donnelly made the announcement after getting new advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

He said the HSE has already prepared the programme and he has now asked the health service to begin the roll-out.

I have just authorised the use of booster vaccines for healthcare workers.

This evening I received advice from NIAC. Some time back I asked the HSE to prepare for such a programme and have now asked the HSE to roll this out.

— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) November 1, 2021

DCU professor of health systems Anthony Staines told Newstalk the announcement is good news for healthcare workers.

“What will affect this; what will really have an impact is if the Government really decides to reduce cases in the community,” he said.

“The vaccines on their own, as the Chief Medical Officer has said, are not going to do that but it is a good start and it certainly saves lives.

“It reduces the level of ill health and I think it is worth doing.”

Minister Donnelly said the rollout would get underway this weekend.

He noted that NIAC had recommended the use of both the Pfizer and Moderna jabs regardless of which vaccine had originally been administered.

He said the original two shots of vaccine remain effective against serious illness although there is evidence of waning immunity over time.

“I am advised that for under 60's who are not immunocompromised, effectiveness of vaccines is sustained against serious illness, hospitalisation & ICU admission,” he said.

“However, there is evidence of waning immunity over time of increased risk of breakthrough infection, most of which is mild.”

Around 3,500 healthcare workers are currently out sick because of COVID – which is almost double the figure reported ten days ago.

In a statement, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) welcomed the announced – but warned that it came “later than we would have liked.”

“We now need to see a rapid rollout of the vaccine boosters to healthcare workers to make up for lost time,” it said. “The vaccine supply and capacity to do so is there.

“A lot needs to happen now to keep our hospitals safe for the winter.

“We can see from today’s trolley figures and the number of healthcare workers who are on COVID-related leave that unless the Minister for Health and the HSE produce a credible winter plan, our hospitals will be in a bad place this winter.”