LATEST: Boosters to be extended as over 4,500 new cases of virus confirmed

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said he expects the use of Covid-19 booster vaccine to be extended significantly.

It comes as ministers were tonight warned that the peak of the virus is now further away than first thought.

Speaking tonight, Minister Donnelly said that evidence for boosters is “incredibly strong” and that he is waiting advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) this evening.

Niac is expected to recommend booster jabs for all adults aged over 50.

“The indications are that it is positive in terms of adding a significant number to those who would be availing of boosters,” he said.

The minister was speaking as 4,570 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health this evening.

And the number of people with Covid-19 who are being treated in hospitals has increased by 40 from yesterday to 622. Of these, 117 are being treated in intensive care units – an increase of 11.