Those aged in their 60s who are waiting for a second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will receive it in the next 10 days.

The Irish Times reported Taoiseach Michéal Martin told the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine would be completed for those in their 60s by July 18.

It came as Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators brought up concerns that many of their constituents were told they would not receive their second vaccine until late July or early August.

Ireland is rallying to accelerate the vaccination programme amid concern about the Delta variant, which according to health experts is two times more infectious than the original Covid-19 strain.

Pharmacies have begun vaccinating those under 34-years-old with the single shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said those aged 30 to 34 who have registered on the vaccine portal will begin getting their appointment dates next week.

Yesterday, a further 581 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed by the Department of Health as Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the country is continuing to see an increase in incidence rate.

“We are continuing to see an increase in the incidence rate of Covid-19, and so, it is important that we do as much as possible to control the spread of the disease as the vaccination programme opens to all adults over the age of 18,” he said.

“The continuing high levels of adherence to the public health advice, high levels of vaccine uptake and community engagement with testing centres around the country are all reasons to be positive.

"If you display any symptoms of Covid-19, it is important that you isolate straight away and come forward for a PCR test.”