A two-year-old child with swine flu died in Northern Ireland earlier this week.
The Department of Health said the child had underlying health conditions.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his sympathy to the child's family.
"Sadly, we have been notified of the death of a two-year-old child who was confirmed as having swine flu," he said.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family at this very sad time for them."
The death brings to 15 the number of people with the virus who have died in Northern Ireland.
Another two from the region have died elsewhere.
Overall instances of the flu are on the decrease, according to the Health Department's latest weekly bulletin on the pandemic.
The number of people reporting to their GP with symptoms has dropped by 13%.
Detection and hospitalisation rates are also down, as are the number of antiviral prescriptions.
But Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, has urged the public to maintain vigilance.
"Phase Two of the vaccination programme which will include the under 5s will begin in the New Year.
"I would encourage all parents to take up the offer of vaccination for their child. Even though swine flu is not circulating as widely as it has been, it is still with us."
This week it was announced that children will no longer be given a second dose of the swine flu vaccine.
The change to Health Department policy followed new advice from the European Medicines Agency.
"This is good news for parents and children as most will only require one dose of vaccine", Dr McBride said.
"We now have enough information about the effectiveness of the vaccine to know that one dose will provide good protection against infection."
Dr McBride said children with weak immune systems would still require two doses.
© UTV News