"We would anticipate being able to start vaccination within a couple of days of registration."
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that they will be allocating "as many slots as possible" for people aged 12 to 15 to get the Covid-19 vaccine over the weekend.
The portal is set to open for the age cohort on Thursday after
Stephen Donnelly confirmed the news on Monday.
Teenagers will be able to receive either the Pfizer or Moderna at a vaccination centre and will need parental consent in order to get the vaccine.
Damien McCallion, the HSE's national lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme,
told Newstalk Breakfast on Tuesday that the vaccinations will begin almost immediately after the portal opens on Thursday.
“The registration system will open on Thursday, and we would anticipate being able to start vaccination within a couple of days of registration," he said.
“What we’ve done this weekend is try to hold back clinic places.
"We’re going to try to allocate as many slots as possible for those parents who register their children on Thursday, Friday and into the weekend."
Registration for the jab opened for all those aged over 16 two weeks ago, just one week after it opened for everyone aged over 18.
To register online for a vaccine, you will need a mobile phone number, an email address, your PPS number and your Eircode.
If you do not have these things, you are advised to call the Covid-19 helpline to register by phone instead.
For more information on how to register for a Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland using the new portal, check out JOE's handy guide
here.
