The World Health Organisation says the Omicron variant is likely a result of vaccine inequity.
The population of South Africa, where the new variant emerged, is largely unvaccinated.
The WHO previously asked developed countries not to roll out booster campaigns before poorer countries have been vaccinated.
Spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris says its critical that countries like Ireland help get vaccines to unvaccinated populations.
"We need to get every country vaccinated.
"Let's hope this is a dress rehearsal, let's hope this is not the big one.
"The big one will come if we do not deal with vaccine inequity seriously and properly."
