A woman with an underlying condition has died from H1N1 swine flu, the Health Service Executive has said. This brings the number of deaths in the State from the virus to 18.
The HSE expressed concern at the rate of vaccination among children aged between six months and five years. Just one-third of this group has been vaccinated so far, the body estimates.
The rate of the illness among children is more than double the general population in the 0-4 age group and 50 per cent higher in five-to-14 year olds. The HSE reminded parents the illness rate among the young was high. Eighty per cent of parents of young children have so far been sent a letter about the vaccine. However, the HSE said there may be a lag between receiving the letter and getting the vaccine.
At least 400,00 people have been vaccinated so far.
There have been 483 reports of adverse reactions to the vaccine received by the Irish Medicines Board, but they are consistent with expected patterns and were generally non-serious.
The number of people in hospital with swine flu (181) is down by 30 since last week.
A total of 974 people have been hospitalised since the pandemic began, and 83 of those have been admitted to intensive care.