Student volunteers at mass H1N1 vaccination clinics: Addressing public health emergencies by integrating service learning within an incident command structure

BACKGROUND: Surge capacity of personnel during mass vaccination clinics for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic encouraged the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) to partner with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH) to improve immunization uptake and reduce disease spread. METHODS: This collaboration required integration of student volunteers within the framework an incident command structure (ICS) of a local health department, and integration of faculty supervision of medical students into a public health activity. Student leaders coordinated communication with students. MHD staff trained students to administer intranasal and intramuscular vaccinations. Faculty provided supervision of student activities. RESULTS: More than 27,000 people were vaccinated for 2009 H1N1 influenza at mass clinics run by MHD. 30 medical students administered vaccinations under the supervision of 5 faculty members. We estimate that each student vaccinated about 30 people per 4-6 hour shift; students thus accounted for about 3% of vaccinations given. Many more students interested in volunteering were unable due to curricular commitments. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating service learning within ICS presents several challenges. Student volunteers require more extensive training than public health nurses and required faculty supervision. ICS required students to accomplish defined tasks within a specified role rather than rotating through stations for educational purposes. Required curricular activities at medical schools continued despite the H1N1 pandemic, limiting students' availability to volunteer. Overcoming these challenges can provide meaningful enhancement of local health department capacity and can provide medical students with unique service learning.