Access to the swine flu vaccine in Northern Ireland is to be extended to children aged from six months to five years, as well as to adults caring for elderly or disabled people.
The next phase of the swine flu vaccination programme is expected to begin around mid-December.
Swine flu has claimed the lives of two adults in the last week, the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced on Thursday, bringing to 13 the number of swine-flu related deaths in the region.
Health officials said no further information was to be released on the latest deaths.
They revealed that the latest figures suggested the number of swine flu cases was continuing to fall.
It was reported that 24 people were hospitalised over the last week, a fall on the 50 cases from the week before and the 87 recorded in the previous week.
In addition, anti-viral prescriptions fell to 857 cases last week, a 38% fall from the 1,374 cases recorded in the previous week.
GP appointments were also said to have decreased by 53% over the last week.
There were 78 swine flu detections last week, compared with 153 the week before. The week prior to that there were 215 laboratory confirmed cases.
The next phase of the swine flu vaccination programme will be extended initially to children from six months to five years, and is expected to begin around mid-December.
It has also been decided that the main carers for elderly or disabled people, whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill, should also be encouraged to take up the vaccination.
Mr McGimpsey said young children were at the greatest risk.
"These very young children also have the highest rate of hospitalisation even without any underlying health conditions," he said.
"In line with normal arrangements for vaccinating this age group, parents should expect to receive a letter from their GP once the first priority groups have been vaccinated."
The minister added: "So far almost 7,000 pregnant women, more than 2,100 children in special schools with severe learning disability and over 20,000 frontline health workers have been vaccinated."
"This is very encouraging and I welcome the fact that so many people have taken the vaccine, particularly those who are at increased risk from the complications of swine flu.
"While the latest figures show that levels of flu-like illness are decreasing, we must not become complacent."
© Press Association