A virologist is calling for people to vaccinate in a bid to prevent a further rise in a severe strain of the flu.

The H3N2 strain is believed to have been the cause of a number of fatalities throughout the Northern Hemisphere's winter months.

ESR doctor Sue Huang said vaccinations are an important form of protection for the vulnerable - such as young children and the elderly.

"We should be careful about this particular strain, because we've known in the past H3N2 viruses tend to be associated with more hospitalised cases ."