After statistics showing an increase the number of swine flu cases were issued, it has emerged that a national swine flu vaccination programme will start across the UK next week.
Hospital in-patients, deemed at risk of infection, including expectant mothers, and people with underlying health problems - will get the jab from 21 October.
A week later GPs will start calling-in patients until over 13m people in the priority groups have been vaccinated.
The number of deaths nationwide has risen to 106 after another increase in reported cases.
But the rate of increase is still short of the doubling that would represent a surge in cases.
Last week Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the slow-burning nature of the second peak now being seen in the UK may be a "lucky break" as it was buying time for the roll-out of the vaccination programme.
PRIORIITY GROUPS ARE:-
*Individuals aged six months to 65 years with underlying health problems and the immuno-supressed, which includes chemotherapy patients
* Pregnant women
* Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems
* Individuals aged over 65 with health problems
Concern has been raised about vaccination of pregnant women asince they were not part of the clinical trial process that has tested the two jabs being used in the UK.
But experts have pointed out that a wealth of data exists on the use of seasonal flu vaccines on pregnant women and they are routinely included in the US programme.
Clinical trials on pregnant women could be considered unethical, according pharmaceutical industry sources.
Sir Liam said it was important for pregnant women to be immunised as they have a particularly high risk of complications from swine flu - two pregnant women have died in the past week alone, including a Scottish 17-year-old.
"The sensible approach to reducing risk is to get the vaccine. It will save lives."
But Sir Liam said he was concerned about the postal strike as GPs send out letters to invite patients for vaccination.
Troops serving in Afghanistan will also be getting the vaccine, the government has announced.
A decision has yet to be taken over whether the rest of the population will be immunised, although the government has ordered enough vaccine for everyone.
Sir Liam said while he was encouraged by the relatively slow rise in the new infections, he was worried about the increasing number of complications being seen.
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