The N1H1 pandemic influenza caused ten more deaths in Moldova between December 31, 2009 and January 10, 2010. Three of the victims were from Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. Though the number of persons suffering from pandemic flu decreased during the winter vacation, about 9,000 persons experiencing flu-like symptoms saw the doctor in the period. 20% of them were hospitalized, while 863 persons are receiving ambulatory treatment. According to the acting head of the Health Ministry Luminita Suveica, the number of infected persons decreased by about 400 cases as fewer people usually contact the doctor during the holidays. However, this resulted in more deaths as the victims went to the doctor too late. “Some of the infected persons tried to treat themselves with antibiotics and this lead to complications,” Luminita Suveica said. According to her, 26,000 persons have been vaccinated against pandemic flu in Moldova so far, 6,000 of whom in Chisinau. There were recorded no side effects. The doctors say yet the number of persons who ask to be immunized is too low. A number of 500,000 vaccines offered by the Government of Romania are available in Moldova. 150,000 of these are being distributed. The World Health Organization will also provide a large batch of vaccines so that all those willing could be vaccinated free of charge. The Chisinau authorities call on the people to take the vaccine immediately in order to avoid a critical situation similar to that in Romania, where there were reported ten deaths during one day and the population besieged the vaccination centers. At most 500 persons were vaccinated in Romania during one day initially. On January 10, more than 5,000 persons were immunized in Bucharest alone.