J. Skylar Upton, B.S.
Project Coordinator
West Virginia University
J. Skylar Upton is the Project Coordinator for the West Virginia Vaccine Administration Collaboration, and Support Team. Skylar has recently completed an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University (WVU) and is pursuing a master's degree in Safety Management Engineering from WVU. As Project Coordinator, Skylar organizes health science students from programs all across West Virginia to assist with COVID-19 community vaccination clinics.

Presenting at the Nexus Summit:

West Virginia is often recognized for being ranked LAST in many areas of health including obesity rates and smoking. This is in sharp contrast to the state's COVID-19 response efforts, as WV was recognized nationally and internationally for its leading vaccination rates. Part of this success was due to the WV Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support (WV VACS) Team, a partnership between the WV National Guard (WVNG), the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR), and the WV Higher Education Policy Commission (WV HEPC). Faculty and students from various healthcare colleges…
Background:The West Virginia Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support (WV VACS) Team is a partnership between the WV National Guard (WVNG), the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR), and the WV Higher Education Policy Commission (WV HEPC) trains and deploys interprofessional teams of health sciences students to help with the COVID-19 vaccination efforts statewide. Students work with local health departments, hospitals, and community health partners. A grant was secured through the HEPC to fund this effort.Methods:A coordinator was hired to oversee the VACS program,…