A newly-established Government taskforce has met for the first time to discuss the potential rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine.
It follows the announcement by Pfizer earlier this week that its vaccine candidate is more than 90% effective at preventing people becoming infected.
The European Commission signed a contract this morning to buy an initial 200 million doses, of which Ireland would get over two million.
However, the vaccine still needs to go through safety testing and the European approval process.
Dozens of other vaccine candidates are being trailled around the world, including 10 in the crucial third phase of trails.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid today said a team's now working on plans in case a vaccine is approved.
He said: "There is a whole of Government taskforce being established - first meeting this morning - to focus on vaccine procurement, distribution and immunisation programme.
"It's still fairly early stages on that one."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil the taskforce will be tasked with coordinating and ensuring the nationwide rollout of a vaccine once it is available.
Reopening plans
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach also reiterated that he wants the country to go back to level three at the start of December.
However, Micheál Martin says the Government will look at certain sectors that may be given individual licence to open at that level of restrictions.
This could include bars and restaurants, which would be outdoor dining only under the current level three plan.
His comments come as the country reaches the halfway point of the ongoing level five lockdown.
Speaking in the Dáil today, the Taoiseach said the Government wants to progress some opening of the economy in December once the current lockdown ends.
He said: "[Restrictions are] working in terms of public health and in terms of protecting lives.
"I think the precise nature of the phases is still a matter that we're going to decide upon in terms of a phases reopening.
"I did say on the record of the House that I wanted to get back to level three - that was a target for December 1st.
"A date on that will inform how we might look at certain sectors, and that might moderate that."
He stressed the Government does want to give people and businesses time to prepare if the country is in a good position with the virus by the end of the month.
