IRELAND will receive around two million doses of Pfizer's new Covid-19 vaccine, should it be officially approved.
EU countries are set to be given shares of the new vaccine based on their population, as per the terms of a collective supply deal agreed with Pfizer.
With that in mind, Ireland is expected to receive just over two million doses, which should supply just over 40% of the country's population.
According to the Irish Times, a proportion of these doses could be made available before the end of the year, but the realistic hope is that every dose is made available to the Irish public before Spring.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) described the news of a potential vaccine as a "good first step," but warned that the public must still adhere to all necessary health guidelines in the meantime.
"It's hopeful, but it's certainly not a time for celebration, I think we have to keep reminding people that the measures we have available right now," said Dr Tony Holohan.
"The public health measures that we have continually recommended and underscored the importance of. Stick to the public health advice," he stressed.
"People who have symptoms, people who are cases, people who are contacts follow the public health advice in respect of self-isolation and restricted movements respectively."
Dr Holohan added that a lot of "anticipatory planning work" had gone into the arrival of a vaccine, and insisted that further details will be laid out "when the time is right".
