HEALTH officials have urged people to get vaccinated "without delay" following several deaths in Ireland linked to 'Aussie flu'.
The deadly H3N2 strain which has spread to Ireland and Britain was last year blamed for one of Australia's worst ever flu outbreaks.
Around 170,000 influenza cases were reported during Australia's winter season, with more than 370 deaths.
The south's Health Service Executive (HSE) said a "small number" of people have died in the last fortnight after contracting the H3N2 strain.
In the north, the Public Health Agency (PHA) said there has been one death from influenza in recent weeks – the first of the current flu season – although it was unable to confirm the flu strain involved.
UFC fighter Conor McGregor has also claimed that he and "half the family" have been struck down with Aussie flu.
A prominent Donegal doctor yesterday called for schools to be closed for two weeks to combat the spread of the bug amid fears that it could become the worst outbreak in 50 years.
James McDaid, a GP and former Irish government minister, said the spread of the illness would get worse with people returning to work and children returning to school after Christmas.
He said children recovering from the flu could be struck down again on their return to school.
"It's definitely going to get worse now in the next few weeks. Last year I did say at one stage that I felt we would be better off had we closed down the schools at that stage," he said.
"We've never tried it on the basis of giving it a fortnight. People say it's over-dramatic and so on but I still think it is worth a try.
"Children are going back to school after they get a little bit better and there's no doubt they're just picking it up again – there is a vicious circle there."
However, Derry doctor Tom Black – chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee in Northern Ireland – said Aussie flu has not yet had a wide impact in the north.
He said that while there have been some cases of the Aussie flu, it was not yet as widespread as in other areas.
"We've been fortunate there it did not strike before the Christmas holidays which would have had a bigger impact," he said.
Dr Lorraine Doherty, assistant director of public health (health protection) at PHA, urged those eligible for the free flu vaccination to get it without delay.
"Getting the free flu vaccine is the single most important thing you can do to help protect yourself against flu," she said.
"With high levels of flu activity in Australia during their winter, and the potential for similar here, it is more important than ever that everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated.
"Everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated against flu should see it as a positive step in protecting their health and the health of others around them. It will also help reduce the burden on our health service during an already busy time of year."
The flu vaccine does not give you the flu. It is offered to people aged over 65 and 'at risk' groups.
Dr Doherty added: "It is also important for pre-schoolers aged two and above and primary school children to get the vaccine.
"It will not only help to protect them from flu, but also those they come into contact with."
