A second person in the Northern Health Region has died of the H1N1 virus.

No details were available as of press time about the second victim to die of the pandemic flu virus, except that the death was reported between Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. The death was one of three reported in the province in the latest update by provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

"We've seen a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations and a slight decrease in the number of deaths, compared to last week," Kendall said Tuesday.

Only 32 people in B.C. — including one in Northern Health - were hospitalized last week as a result of H1N1, Kendall said. Over 90 people were hospitalized in the previous reporting period.

A total of 1,009 British Columbians have been hospitalized by the virus and 47 have died since April, Kendall said. Forty-four of the hospitalizations were in the Northern Health Region.

Although H1N1 has killed less people than a typical seasonal flu, which typically kills 200-800 people in B.C. annually, the demographics of the victims are different, he said.

The average age of people killed by seasonal flu is 85 years, he said. H1N1 has hit people under 65 years old the hardest.

Of the 47 confirmed H1N1 deaths in B.C., 40 of the victims had underlying health issues, five did not and two are still under investigation.

In addition, 20 per cent of those hospitalized required artificial ventilation at some point during their treatment, Kendall said.

"There is a much higher rate of ventilation than with seasonal flu," he said.

As of Tuesday, the provincial health authorities had received 2.1 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine. Of which half had been distributed.

"By the end of last week... 40 per cent of the population was immunized," Kendall said. "Our goal, as I've said before, is 66 per cent."

Demand for the vaccine has dropped off and wait times at clinics are generally short, he said.

"Now is a good time to go. The week of Dec. 18 mass clinics will cease operations," he added. "That will allow public health staff to get back to their duties."

The vaccine will still be available after Dec. 18 at some doctor's offices and public clinics.

"Don't pass up the opportunity to get a vaccine."

As of Nov. 28, only 231 adverse reactions to the vaccine were reported in B.C. Of those, 223 were minor reactions like swelling or soreness.

Of the eight serious reactions, five suffered an anaphylactic allergic reaction, one had seizures, one suffered from fainting and there was one death — however, that person contracted the H1N1 virus prior to building up an immunity from the vaccine and likely died as a result of the virus, not the vaccine, Kendall said.

"There is a fairly high rate of fever over 39C with children receiving their second, booster shot," Kendall added. "About four per cent showed fever after receiving the booster dose."

In Prince George, vaccines are available at a special clinic at 325 Brunswick St. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.

As of Dec. 21, vaccines will be available at the Northern Interior Health Unit at 1444 Edmonton St. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Check Northern Health's Web site at http://northernhealth.ca for dates.