Two more deaths from A/H1-N1 fllu have been reported on the Chinese mainland. Health Minister, Chen Zhu, says the number of deaths and severe cases will inevitably rise.

Two more people died of the A/H1N1 flu in the 48 hours ending three p.m. Friday. That brings the total number of deaths to six. More information is not yet available.

So far, the mainland has reported nearly 45 thousand cases. About three quarters of people have recovered.

Health Minister Chen Zhu says China will definitely see more people dying from the flu. And an increase in patients in serious condition will also probably rise. He says vaccination is one of the most effective ways to control an A/H1N1 epidemic.

He emphasizes the inoculation is on a voluntary basis, and is free of charge.

As of last week, of 220 thousand people who received the vaccine, only about 40 showed abnormal reactions.

Beijing recently reported its first death from the virus. The victim was a college student.

The city's top health official Fang Laiying says it's not possible for the virus to spread throughout the city, if vaccination work goes well. Officials assure the public the situation will not be as bad as in 2003, when the SARS virus hit the capital. Beijing plans to vaccinate five million people, who are considered vulnerable to the virus, by mid-December.