The Croatian health system is prepared for the new H1N1 flu virus, Health Minister Darko Milinovic said at the start of a government meeting on Thursday.

Milinovic said that 2,523 cases had been registered in the country and that three people had died, adding that 100,000 doses of antiviral vaccine had been secured and would be administered free of charge to all those who needed it.

"We expect more vaccine in early December," Milinovic said, stressing that priority would be given to chronic patients, pregnant women and health workers.

Milinovic said that owing to the new circumstances his ministry needed an additional 200 million kuna (27.5 million euros), of which 130 million kuna (17.9 million euros) has been secured through internal reallocation.