ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County concluded another week of vaccinations, including the first of two clinics at area colleges, but numbers of first-time vaccine recipients appear to be on the decline.

On Tuesday, a total of 13 first year students at Belmont College’s health building volunteered to assist the Belmont County Health Department injecting people with first doses of the Moderna version of the vaccine. The Moderna version requires two doses about 28 days apart, unlike the one-shot Johnson & Johnson version. Johnson & Johnson administration was paused two study six cases of blood clotting reactions and one death occurring in the 6.8 million recipients.

“We’ve been administering and a few of us have been receiving the vaccine today,” Hope Wilson said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to be able to work within the community and help people when they need it most.”

Students and health department staff administered 50 vaccinations.

The students trained on administering injections last semester. During the clinic, they also provided instructions and aftercare for the students, monitoring them for 15 minutes after injections.

“The school had sent out an email letting everyone know the health department was going to be here today to be giving out vaccinations, and we fortunately got the chance to participate,” Jennifer Cole said. “It was experience for us.”

“It’s been great. We’ve done a lot of shots today,” Jame Neuhart said. “All of my classmates have at least gotten to give one (shot) so that’s exciting.”

They were also able to observe a pandemic firsthand. The students said the pandemic made their work difficult, but they were able to maintain their lab work.

“We’re very fortunate that our instructors have put in the extra time and effort to make sure we get our first-hand experience, because it’s hard to learn nursing things at home,” Neuhart said.

“They’ve been doing wonderful and this has been an excellent experience for them,” Jonne Herman, nursing instructor, said. “They’ve had the opportunity to use communication with people that are coming in, and they’ve actually given the vaccines. This is actually their scheduled lab, so this is a skill they’ve already learned.”

“We’re very happy and pleased to be working with the Belmont County Health Department and giving our students this opportunity to help we can in the midst of a pandemic,” Herman said. “These are Belmont College students and staff who are receiving the vaccine today.”

“They’ve asked what side-effects to watch for. Everybody has to stay 15 minutes after receiving a vaccine to be monitored. They’re given information. They want to know when their second vaccination is due.”

She said a second clinic date was set for May 11. Herman said she hopes students are not discouraged by having to report back for a second shot.

“School will be out for us, but they’re coming back so they would be able to handle the amount,” Herman said.

The health department continues to hold vaccination clinics, and have provided vaccines for homebound people nervous about the virus.

Students spoke about their reasons for being vaccinated.

“My grandfather’s girlfriend really wanted to take my sister and I to Florida this year,” Gianna Moscato of Adena said.

“Most of my family has already got it, and I have plans to go to concerts and stuff,” Katie Tidwell of Newcomerstown, said.

“I just thought it was a good idea to get vaccinated. I thought it would help my family out,” Emilio Appolloni of Martins Ferry said. “It’s good to be vaccinated and not have to worry. … I plan to travel in the summer. This’ll be really nice to travel and not have any worries.”

Another vaccination clinic will be held Tuesday at Ohio University Eastern, but Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said not many students have scheduled a vaccination there so far. The regular vaccination clinic will also be held Thursday at the Ohio Valley Mall. For more information, visit the health department website at belmontcountyhealth.com or gettheshot.coroanvirus.ohio.gov.

Sproul reported there have been a total of 5,904 cases in Belmont County since the pandemic’s onset, with 313 people in isolation with active cases or hospitalized, and 5,478 recoveries. A total of 113 people have died after contracting the virus, with the latest a woman in her 70s.