Article Photos

Ohio County's public health officials are preparing to vaccinate a local university's students against the swine flu.

Meanwhile, a ''make-up" clinic for children and students who missed their original mass H1N1 vaccination clinic has been scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, first floor of the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St.

To make an appointment, call 304-234-3682.

Friday's mass H1N1 clinic for West Liberty University students is slated from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blatnik Gym. WLU spokesman Reid Amos said there are 2,600 people enrolled at the school, with about 1,200 living on campus. He noted students have been informed about the clinic via e-mail.

Howard Gamble, Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department administrator, said the health department is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's age category guidelines. This means students through 24 years old are eligible to receive the vaccine.

The health department plans to vaccinate college students before they go on holiday break.

''We want to do it before students leave the campus. That's why the decision to go to West Liberty first - they end sooner,'' Gamble said.

Wheeling Jesuit University's clinic is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at the McDonough Center. And West Virginia Northern Community College's is slated for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the B&O Building.

Gamble anticipates higher turnout because of the number of students living on campus at West Liberty.

''The key to this clinic, although it is for college kids, they have to be 18 or older. If not, mom or dad have to come,'' he noted.

In addition to health department workers, the university's student nurses and nurse instructors will help staff the clinic.

''We're making it easy. We're on campus, and we're there all day. You just walk through the gym and get your shots for free,'' he added.