Johnson & Johnson has said it would start delivering its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine to Europe on 19 April, giving the continent a boost as it struggles to speed up its vaccination drive.
The pharmaceutical giant's jab was approved by European Union regulators in mid-March, following approval of vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca.
The 27-nation EU has signed a firm order for 200 million doses and an option for 200 million more. Ireland is set to receive 2.2 million doses of the vaccine.
As well as being the first that requires just a single injection rather than two, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is easier to store.