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WHEELING - The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department expects to receive $222,000 in federal funds to hold mass swine flu inoculation clinics this fall.

Howard Gamble, health department administrator, made the announcement during a regular board of health meeting Tuesday. He said sites for the mass clinics are set, but the dates will not be released until the health department receives its share of the vaccine, meant to help protect people from the H1N1 virus.

The health department expects to receive the vaccine about mid-October. The vaccine and related supplies will be given to states, which then will distribute it to county health departments.

Mass clinics will be held at Wheeling, Bridge Street, Triadelphia and Warwood middle schools; Linsly; Wheeling Park High School; West Virginia Northern Community College; Wheeling Jesuit University; West Liberty University; and WesBanco Arena.

"We don't want to disrupt school. We'll have clinics afterhours and on weekends," Gamble said, noting the health department also will try not to disrupt school activities.

During the first round of mass clinics, five groups will be offered the vaccine: pregnant women; people who live with or care for children 6 months old or younger; health care workers; people between 6 months old and 25 years old; and those 25-64 years old who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems.

"For children 10 and younger, we will have a second round of clinics," Gamble said, noting this is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation.

The health department aims to inoculate as many people as possible in a five-week period. After the first five groups are taken care of, the health department anticipates holding additional mass clinics for the remainder of the population. Those clinics will be held at WesBanco Arena, Wheeling Park High School and the health department.

There will be three types of vaccine: live nasal spray, shots with vaccine taken from a vial and preservative-free single shots.

"It seems to be the county is well-prepared for this. ... We need to keep our fingers crossed," said board member Dr. John Holloway after hearing clinic details.

Gamble noted the health department will learn much from the first clinic.

"Whenever we do the first one, it will be a challenge because it will be our first one," he said.

In other matters, after a closed-door session, the board approved a motion to increase Gamble's salary 5 percent.

They also approved a motion to continue Mercer's contract as-is until the next meeting, slated for noon Nov. 10 at the health department, 1500 Chapline St.