GP practices yet to sign up for the coronavirus vaccine rollout could soon be offered another chance.

The Department of Health says it has begun looking at opportunities to widen distribution, with the supply of AstraZeneca vaccines rising to around a million a week.

Officials said on Thursday that the expansion would be limited, with an initial focus on areas where demand was not being met by practices already in the rollout.

“It is so we can ensure that coverage is equitable across the country,” said Dr Lucas de Toca, the director of the government’s primary care rollout.