EDMONTON — The second wave of the H1N1 flu appears to have crested, with fewer reported cases and fewer intensive-care beds tied up with the severely ill, health officials say.

"We're now seeing some improvement in terms of the workload on the hospital side," said Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health with Alberta Health Services.

Currently, 25 per cent of intensive care beds are occupied by people with swine flu, down from approximately 33 per cent in recent weeks.

"We have to be a little careful about being too quick but it appears the second wave is easing off and we will see it improve over the next probably couple of weeks."

Even so, Predy said it's not too late to get vaccinated since a third wave of illness will arrive this winter.

On Thursday, the province recorded two more H1N1-related deaths: a senior from the Calgary area and an adult from the Edmonton area who both had chronic health conditions.

All seniors are now eligible to be vaccinated, and all children and their parents can get their shots starting today. In hopes of cutting down on lineups, people being urged not to rush to mass immunization clinics, but to consider waiting until their doctors or pharmacists are given doses. So far, 570,000 Albertans have been vaccinated, not including those living in First Nations communities. Since a large shipment of doses is expected next week, all remaining Albertans can get their shots starting early next week. The province has yet to say if the clinics will open to the general public on Monday or Tuesday.