The gap between the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine is to be cut in Northern Ireland.

For those who have not yet been vaccinated, appointments for second doses will be scheduled no more than eight weeks after the first dose.

For those who have already received their first dose, scheduled appointments for second doses will remain unaffected and people should keep the date they have been given.

It said the move "will accelerate the vaccination programme as it moves into its final phase and will ensure that people across NI have the strongest possible protection from variants of the Covid-19 virus".

While not yet officially confirmed, it is thought there are approximately 80 cases of the Delta variant in Northern Ireland.

The number of cases has doubled since the weekend.

Last Friday, 26 Delta cases were confirmed by health officials, with surge testing taking place in Kilkeel.

On Thursday, NI Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said the decision to reduce the interval between vaccine doses had been taken following updated advice from the independent experts at the JCVI, who had considered the latest available evidence on the Delta variant.

"It's vital that we move as quickly as possible, with the supplies of vaccine that we have available, to ensure that the maximum number of people receive both doses so that they have fuller and longer lasting protection against the virus.".

Earlier on Thursday, Queen's University Belfast virologist Dr Connor Bamford backed the move to decrease the time between vaccine doses, saying it was likely to decrease the spread of the variant.

"So we need to make sure as many people as possible get their two doses and even think about decreasing the length between dose one and two because that's going to be critical going forward.".

UK scientists say the Delta variant - known as B.1.617.2 - is spreading more quickly than the Kent or Alpha variant, which was behind a surge in cases over the winter.

Number of suspected Delta variant cases doubles.