Are you a college student in West Virginia studying in a health field & interested in helping with COVID-19 vaccine administration?

Send us an email at wvvacsteam@hsc.wvu.edu to get started!

To assist West Virginia’s full-court-press COVID-19 vaccine rollout, more than 1,000 health professional students from colleges and universities across the state have volunteered to administer vaccines in coordination with local health departments and community health partners. This is thanks to a new initiative – the West Virginia Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support (WV VACS) Team – resulting from a partnership among the National Guard, Department of Health and Human Resources, and Higher Education Policy Commission.

Prior to working in communities, students complete an online curriculum that is designed to enhance their knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines and their administration. There are two courses offered to students: one for those already trained to administer vaccines, and one for those wishing to help with support staff.

Once fully trained, groups of students work under supervision with local health providers to give vaccines and support data entry. Higher education institutions determine whether students participate in this voluntary program for either course credit or community service.

NEWS UPDATES

October 11, 2021: WVU, WV VACS team win national award for interprofessional collaboration with COVID-19 vaccination efforts 

April 2, 2021: More than 1,000 health professional students from colleges and universities across West Virginia on track to help with vaccine rollout

TESTIMONIALS

Mary Jane Braham, pharmacy student at West Virginia University who has completed the curriculum and worked at a clinic in Monongalia County clinic, said of her early experience, “Being a part of the WV VACS Team has provided the opportunity for me to work directly with my student colleagues from other disciplines while giving back to our communities during a time of need. COVID-19 has changed everyone’s life in one way or another, but together we will continue to make a positive impact to better the health of our community.”

“Participating in the vaccine distribution has allowed us more vaccine training during a time when some of our regular clinical rotations weren’t available because of COVID,” said Claire Miller, Marshall University nursing student. “This has been good for me professionally and provided me the opportunity to help my community at the same time.”