As many as eight out of 10 people identified by the HSE as being in the initial "at risk" groups from swine flu may have now received the vaccine, according to unofficial HSE estimates.

This suggests the government's aim of achieving high uptakes of the vaccination in order to help eradicate the disease may be a realistic goal when mass vaccination of the wider population begins as expected in the new year.

However, it remains to be seen whether the 'healthy' general public will be as likely to take up the vaccine as those at increased risk of developing complications from the disease.

The HSE reported a marked increase in the number of 'at-risk' pregnant women seeking to make appointments for the vaccine late last week. This followed the tragic death of a pregnant woman, along with her unborn child, from swine flu on Thursday in the east of the country.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said due to the time it takes for GPs to submit details of patients vaccinated to date, it is not possible to say exactly how many people have received the vaccines.