WHEELING - Teachers are always quizzing their students to improve their education, but on Monday pupils were posed a different question: Nasal or injection?
That was the question asked of more than 600 students who received the swine, or H1N1, flu vaccine during a mass clinic at Triadelphia Middle School. Students from Triadelphia, and Steenrod and Woodsdale elementary schools were invited to either get injected with or receive the nasal spray form of the vaccine meant to ward off the disease.
Howard Gamble, Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department administrator, said they prepared to inoculate 1,100 students. However, he was pleased with the number that showed up.
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Photos by Scott McCloskey
Ben Byrum of Wheeling carries his son, Hunter, 5, on his shoulders as they wait in line outside Triadelphia Middle School on Monday afternoon for the first student swine flu vaccination clinic held in Ohio County.
No one had an adverse reaction to the vaccine, though there was one girl who became sick because she was upset. She had a stressful day before arriving at the clinic, Gamble said.
Several students were turned away because they had a fever.
"We had a big rush in the beginning," Gamble said, noting the clinic began at 3:30 p.m. "And then we had the after dinner crowd about 7:30 p.m."
By 9:30 p.m. workers began closing shop for the clinic's end at 10 p.m. Most people, he said, chose the injectable form the vaccine.
Gamble noted people should decide ahead of time whether they want the nasal or injectable vaccine. People should talk to their physician about their choices. If one does not have a doctor to speak with, nurses and medical residents at future clinics can explain the differences, he said.
"The health department did a good job. The parents who came in were all very complimentary," said Dianna Vargo, deputy superintendent of the Ohio County Schools.
Students from St. Vincent de Paul and Wheeling Catholic elementary schools and Wheeling Central Catholic High School can receive the vaccine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ohio Valley Medical Center's Nurses Residence auditorium, 2000 Eoff St., Wheeling.