MADRID, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish government on Thursday agreed to offer a third dose of vaccine against COVID-19 to everyone aged over 18.

Previously the "booster jab" of the vaccine had only been available for people aged 40 and over, along with those who had been given the single dose 'Janssen' vaccine, essential workers and those with immune deficiency problems.

The administration of the third dose would be "in descending age order," said Minister of Health Carolina Darias, adding that the minimum time between receiving the second and third vaccination would be reduced from six months down to five.

She also said that anyone who had been infected after receiving a second vaccination would need to wait at least a month before receiving a booster shot.

According to figures issued by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, 33.95 percent of the population have so far been given a third dose of vaccine, while 80.39 percent have had two shots and 84.67 percent just one.