The Health Service Executive (HSE) says there have been nine or ten deaths directly as a result of the flu virus.

Last night, it was confirmed a child died from the H1N1 strain at a Dublin hospital this week.

They were transferred from the west of the country.

At risk groups - such as those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women - are being urged to get the flu vaccine.

Anybody with a chronic illness, those over the age of 65 and healthcare professionals are also being advised to get the flu jab.

Dr Kevin Kelleher is the assistant national director for public health with the HSE. He says there have also been some fatalities indirectly linked to flu.

"There are two different things here: one - there was a direct death and we've had around nine (or) ten direct deaths", he told Newstalk Breakfast.

"But you also get indirect deaths - so the flu precipitates something which wouldn't have happened otherwise, and people die as a consequence".

"And that's a much bigger number".

"That's done by a calculation after the flu season when we know how many cases, etc - we can do that sort of calculation" he added.