Hungarians remain wary of H1N1 vaccine as death toll rises

Two more Hungarian residents who were infected with the H1N1 virus died on Friday, raising the total to date to seven.

The victims were a 73-year-old Romanian woman from Csongrád county, who was being treated for pneumonia in hospital, and a 55-year-old Szolnok man.

The number of schools closed because of the virus rose to seven on Friday.

Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai asked Health Minister Tamás Székely to simplify access to the anti-flu vaccines.

Meanwhile, the number of those who are willing to be inoculated against the H1N1 virus has risen from 13% to 18% in the past week, according to a Szonda Ipsos poll conducted for MTV's "Szólás szabadsága".

However, 57% of respondents said they do not want to be inoculated against virus. Of those, 21% said they are more afraid of possible side effects of the vaccine than of the H1N1 virus. The groups most sceptical of the vaccine are those aged 19-39 and those who support far-right party Jobbik.

Education Minister István Hiller said the school year may have to be extended, as more and more schools will have to be closed.

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