The coronavirus vaccine booster campaign will start next week for hospital staff, rather than in December, sources have told broadcaster NOS.

Residential homes for the elderly and the disabled will also be able to place orders for vaccines next week, with deliveries planned for the week of November 22, the sources say.

The pressure on the government to start work on the booster campaign has become more intense because of the rise in the infection rate.

In the current planning, the over-60s would not be eligible for a booster jab until next year, but this too is likely to be moved forward to December.