Up to 400,000 could face a shorter wait for their second vaccine dose after the Government confirmed a reduction in the interval between Astrazeneca doses.

The Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the change will be phased in over the coming weeks.

“The coming fortnight will see those who are due their vaccine as part of a 12-week schedule receive their second dose of vaccine,” he said.

“We will then implement a graduated reduction so the interval will reduce to 11, 10, 9 and then 8 weeks.”

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly arriving at Dublin Castle, 28-05-2021. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

He said the exact timing of the interval people may face will be subject to the supply of AstraZeneca arriving in to the country.

“Right now, we only have confirmed volumes for the next two weeks,” he said.

“I’ve spoken with the company, while there has also been contact with them from the Taoiseach and the taskforce in recent days to emphasise the urgency and importance of contracted supplies arriving as agreed.”

The change comes on foot of fresh advice from NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee).

The committee also advised that people under 50 who have no underlying conditions and have been infected with COVID-19 in the last nine months do not need a second dose.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently only recommended for use in people over the age of 50.

Younger age groups are expected to get the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, with most of the remaining AstraZeneca supplies already reserved for second doses.

The 12-week wait for a second AstraZeneca dose compares to just four-weeks for Pfizer and Moderna.

Meanwhile, anyone aged 42 can register for a vaccine from today as the rollout continues.