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PARKERSBURG -West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin made a brief stop in Wood County Thursday, urging middle school students to get vaccinated and remain vigilant against H1N1.

The governor took time away from the state Legislature's special session Thursday to travel to several schools around the state, warning students of the dangers of the flu virus. Manchin spoke for about 20 minutes to eighth-grade students at Blennerhassett Middle School on H1N1, building character and the value of a good education.

The governor's visit comes at a time when student absence rates for Wood County Schools have dropped significantly and local health officials have said the H1N1 outbreak has mostly run its course. Health officials have warned more outbreaks are likely before the end of the school year.

H1N1 "is a serious thing," Manchin said to the assembled students. "Your age group is the most vulnerable."

Only a handful of students raised their hands when asked how many of them had opted to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you you must be vaccinated," Manchin said, but added he would ask all of the students who did not receive the vaccine to "reconsider the decision."

Manchin said the seriousness of the disease came to his attention when his family members expressed concerns over being able to find the vaccine. Manchin said his 10-year-old granddaughter contracted H1N1, also known as swine flu, a week before she was scheduled to be innoculated.

"Knowledge is what is needed to make an informed decision," Manchin said after the presentation. "Sometimes the best way to inform parents and grandparents is through our children."

Dick Wittberg, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, said Wood County was the first West Virginia county to complete its voluntary school children vaccination plan, offering vaccine to students through area schools and clinics. About 34 percent of Wood County Schools 13,500 students opted to receive the vaccine.