The government has set out its vaccination strategy today.
Covid-19 vaccines could start to be rolled out here before the end of the year, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
The government has today been setting out its plan for how 14.6 million doses will be distributed across the country.
It'll administering jabs in nursing homes and large hospitals, with mass vaccination centres set up once more vaccines are available.
Around 1,500 healthcare workers and 180 community-based staff will be involved in administering doses.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said its meeting to decide whether to approve the Pfizer vaccine will now take place on December 21st.
Minister Donnelly says they're ready in case it's approved earlier than planned.
''The plan was designed to be flexible including if the EMA brought it's timing forward'', he said.
''And it is possible that if the EMA does authorise this vaccine that a low level round of initial vaccinations could begin before the new year''.
