Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said Ireland is in line for an extra 46,500 vaccines before the end of March after the European Union announced 4 million additional doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine.

The European Commission said the additional doses of BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine are to be delivered this month for in order to tackle coronavirus hotspots and to facilitate free border movement, to be distributed on a pro rata basis. 

President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leye said: “To tackle aggressive variants of the virus and to improve the situation in hotspots, quick and decisive action is necessary. I’m happy to announce today an agreement with BioNTech-Pfizer, who will offer to Member States to make available a total of four million doses of vaccines before the end of March which will be supplied in addition to the planned dose deliveries.

“This will help Member States in their efforts to keep the spread of new variants under control. Through their targeted use where they are most needed, in particular in border regions, these doses will also help ensure or restore free movement of goods and people. These are key for the functioning of health systems and the Single Market.”