As cases of swine flu were reported to have almost doubled now to 14,000 a week, it is understood that the first batch of flu vaccine is expected in hospitals on October 14.

Shropshire Star swine flu diarists today said they were encouraged by the imminent availability of the jab to protect against the disease.

But the vaccine will be given to front-line health workers and the most vulnerable patients first.

Family doctors are expected to get their first batches on October 19.

About 4.7million batches of the vaccine were due to be delivered by the end of September but only 300,000 were.

Swine flu diarist Jools Payne, who runs the Jools Payne Partnership in Oswestry, could be among the first to get the jab.

She said: “The news that a vaccine protecting against swine flu will soon be available is very encouraging.

“As someone who is in the immuno-compromised high risk category I’m guessing I could be one of those offered it first.

“Although I’m a bit wary about receiving something that has been rushed through the licensing process I’ll probably go for it as the infection rate is escalating at the moment.”

And Steve Tyrer, 34, who lives with his wife Collette and three children in Lawley, Telford, said: “A lot of talk has taken place over the last few days in relation to the swine flu jab and the amount of money foreign pharmaceutical companies are going to make from this pandemic.

“Some reports say the jab could cost several pounds and this is for a vaccine that has not yet been licensed.

“There will also be costs to the NHS, putting the country in more debt and, reading the various reports, will the vaccine actually help and will there be side effects or even death resulting in having the jab?”

And John Kertland, a Shrewsbury College lecturer who lives with his family in Castlefields, said: “It’s a big worry that cases of swine flu have been reported as having risen last week.

“Government stocks of Tamiflu are, apparently, good.

“Also of concern is the ongoing realisation that our area is a “hotspot” in the region.”