A total of 292 possible side effects have been reported after vaccinations against the H1N1 virus here, so far, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said Thursday. The majority of reactions have been minor and assumed to be unlinked to the vaccine.

``There have been four deaths and three critical reactions reported after inoculation. However, it was later found that the three deaths and the illnesses have stemmed from pre-existing health conditions. The authorities are currently conducting an autopsy on a 19 month-old infant's body, of which the result is expected to come next week,'' a government official said.

The ministry also said the spread of the virus was slowing down here.

The World Health Organization said that 11,516 people worldwide have died of the flu as of Dec. 20, up 934 from the previous week. Most deaths have been in America, with 6,670 fatalities, followed by Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

WHO said the transmission of the virus has passed its peak in the northern hemisphere, but is still active in east Europe and some parts of southern Asia.