From the beginning of last month, pharmacists can extend prescriptions up to a maximum of 12 months for patients.

It comes as the country deals with a shortage in penicillin-based antibiotics due to issues with production, raw materials shortage and increased demand.

The lack of activities requiring a vaccination cert have resulted in less of an uptake of the booster.

The public is being asked to check packets of antigen tests to ensure they meet standards.

Longford pharmacist Padraig Loughrey is welcoming the agreement which will allow them to begin to administer vaccines from early next month. The Longford man says