The AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine has been granted approval for all adults across the EU.
The jab is the third to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)- after Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna - and will be given in two doses up to 12 weeks apart.
It's been approved for all over 18s, including those over the age of 55.
The EMA says there aren't enough results yet to show how well it will work in older adults, but that protection is expected.
The European Commission will now fast-track a decision-making process for the drug to be rolled out across the bloc.
Irish woman Emer Cooke, executive director of the EMA, says: "With this third positive opinion, we have further expanded the arsenal of vaccines available to EU and EEA member states to combat the pandemic and protect their citizens.
📢 EMA has just recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for the #COVID19vaccine AstraZeneca to prevent #COVID19 in people from 18 years of age. 👉Read our press release: https://t.co/YDbOvZEMUN pic.twitter.com/Sbj6TdlGTW
— EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) January 29, 2021
"As in previous cases, the CHMP has rigorously evaluated this vaccine, and the scientific basis of our work underpins our firm commitment to safeguard the health of EU citizens."
While Tánaiste Leo Varadkar tweeted: "This is good news. It means we now have another vaccine in the arsenal. AstraZeneca has met the EMA’s strict criteria."
He said the Government will also begin vaccinating those aged over-85 "in the next few weeks".
It comes amid an ongoing row between the pharmaceutical company and the EU over doses.
The reduction in supply means Ireland is expected to get around 300,000 doses - instead of an expected 600,000 - by the end of March.
