Health officials are under pressure to get the swine flu vaccination campaign underway following new figures showing a significant acceleration in the spread of the virus.

The Department of Health revealed yesterday that the number of new cases being reported to GPs has increased dramatically to around 7,000 per week.

Four people have died from the illness in the Republic over the past week, all of whom were adults with underlying medical conditions.

The HSE is still distributing vaccines to GPs around the country and the vaccination programme is not due to begin until November 2nd.

At-risk groups like pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions will be the first to receive the vaccine.