There has been a reduction in the number of people presenting to emergency departments with influenza, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.
It comes after the HSE warned that flu cases are likely to peak during Christmas week.
In a statement this afternoon, the HSE said that although the number of recorded influenza cases has increased to 3,548, the number of patients presenting to emergency departments with influenza has decreased to 1,806, compared with 1,893 the previous week.
The HSE is encouraging people to get vaccinated.
Dr Colm Henry, the HSE's Chief Clinical Officer said the health service will "continue to monitor patterns closely as we head into the festive period".
"There are a number of factors that may influence trends in the coming weeks, such as the natural increase in socialising and intergenerational mixing that occurs during the festive period," Dr Henry said.
"Vaccination uptake remains important, particularly among at‑risk groups. There is still time to get your flu vaccine and I would encourage all those eligible to avail of it. The best time to get vaccinated is now."
Read more
Flu cases likely to peak during Christmas week, says HSE
Number of flu cases in Ireland 'quite high' - WHO
Flu cases to peak during Christmas week, HSE expects
Is it a cold or flu? How to tell winter symptoms apart
Tom Murray, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union said yesterday that the flu strain this year is "significantly different to last year" and there is a "massive amount of spread in children".
Mr Murray added that this is why he has been part of a campaign to increase children's use of the flu vaccine as well as adults.
"I would recommend to everybody that there is still time to get the vaccine."
Mr Murray said the H3N2 flu strain is "very infective" and is spreading.
Around 600 people in hospitals with flu - Carroll MacNeill
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said there are around 600 people in hospitals today with flu.
Speaking this afternoon, she said it was a very severe strain of flu and she again appealed to people to get vaccinated.
She said that the vaccination rates have been creeping up in the last ten days.
The Minister said that the flu is circulating among children and she appealed to parents to get them vaccinated.
She said the hospital system was coping extremely well at the moment and she said that was due to measures out in place - including the public only consultant contract.
Ms Carroll MacNeill said that another "kick" in the flu was expected over the coming weeks.
Additional reporting by Aisling Kenny
