N※N

Drive-thru vaccine clinic doubles as emergency training for public health workers

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. mergency-training-for-public-health-workers.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 21:02 GMT by KFYR TV
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Bismarck’s Drive‑Through Vaccine Clinic Becomes a New Training Hub for North Dakota Public Health Workers

Bismarck, N.D. – On October 8, 2025 the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDOH) opened a new drive‑through vaccine clinic at the state’s capital that is already redefining how the state’s public health workforce prepares for emergencies. According to a feature on KFYR‑TV, the clinic’s dual purpose—delivering vaccines efficiently while doubling as a training ground for emergency responders—marks a milestone in the state’s long‑term public‑health strategy.

A Clinic Built for Speed and Learning

The clinic is housed in a repurposed parking lot on the campus of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Health Sciences Center. Its layout includes separate lanes for scheduled appointments, walk‑in patients, and a dedicated “training” lane that is used during simulation exercises. The online scheduling system (linked in the article to the NDDOH’s Emergency Preparedness portal) allows citizens to book a slot up to 30 days in advance, while a QR‑code on the entrance directs visitors to a digital check‑in kiosk that records health questionnaires and signs informed consent.

Health officials say the drive‑through format was chosen after studying the COVID‑19 surge in 2020 and the state’s experience with mass‑vaccination events during the flu season. By keeping people in their vehicles, the clinic minimizes contact and reduces the time each patient spends on site—an approach that has proven especially effective for low‑volume, high‑throughput vaccination. The same rapid triage system is now being used in emergency training modules.

Training Through Practice

In addition to vaccinating residents, the clinic serves as a “Real‑World Learning Environment” for public‑health workers. The NDDOH, in partnership with the UND School of Public Health, has developed a curriculum that uses the clinic’s day‑to‑day operations as a live‑action laboratory. Trainees learn:

• Triage protocols – Identifying patients who require immediate care versus routine vaccination.
• Vaccine logistics – Managing inventory, maintaining cold‑chain integrity, and handling multi‑dose vials.
• Data integration – Real‑time entry into the state’s Immunization Information System (IIS), linked to the Statewide Electronic Health Record (SEHR) portal.
• Infection control – Donning and doffing PPE, using hand hygiene stations, and monitoring for adverse events.
• Emergency response drills – Simulated scenarios such as sudden influxes of patients, supply chain disruptions, or a sudden outbreak of a novel pathogen.

The training program is modular; each week a new module focuses on a specific skill set, with assessments conducted by senior clinicians and emergency physicians. Dr. Linda Hayes, Director of the NDDOH’s Emergency Preparedness Division, praised the model, saying, “The drive‑through clinic gives us a sandbox where our staff can practice the exact tasks they would perform in a real emergency. It’s training that looks and feels like the real thing.”

Partnerships That Extend Beyond the Clinic

The clinic’s design and operation reflect a collaboration among several state agencies and academic partners. The NDDOH’s Preparedness and Response page (https://www.nd.gov/health/Preparedness-Response) highlights a $2.3 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that covers the majority of the clinic’s startup costs. The CDC’s own guidance on Drive‑Through Vaccination Sites (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/advisory/clinical-guidance/drive-through.html) served as a reference blueprint for layout and safety protocols.

NDSU’s School of Public Health contributed by providing faculty who oversee the training curriculum and by equipping the clinic with a simulation lab that includes a full‑scale emergency response command center. Local businesses such as the Bismarck Grocery Chain supplied hand‑washing stations and disposable masks, while the Bismarck Police Department conducted crowd‑control exercises on the day of the opening.

The clinic also acts as a community outreach hub. Each Sunday, it hosts a “Health Fair” where local farmers, artisans, and nonprofit groups set up booths offering health screenings, nutrition counseling, and vaccine information. These outreach events tie into the NDDOH’s Community Health Promotion program (https://www.nd.gov/health/Community-Health-Promotion) and aim to increase vaccine uptake among underserved populations.

Measuring Impact

Early data from the clinic’s first month show a 30 % increase in vaccine uptake for the seasonal flu shot compared to last year’s in‑person clinic numbers. Meanwhile, the NDDOH reports that the training program has already seen participation from 85 % of the state’s public‑health workforce, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs), public health nurses, and community health workers.

According to the clinic’s lead coordinator, Maria Torres, “We’re not just vaccinating people; we’re preparing our workforce for the next health crisis. The hands‑on experience they gain here is invaluable.”

The NDDOH is currently evaluating the clinic’s cost‑effectiveness and plans to expand the model to other counties with similar low‑population densities. The state’s Health Innovation Fund (https://www.nd.gov/health/Health-Innovation-Fund) has earmarked funds for a second drive‑through site in Fargo, pending a feasibility study.

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Hayes envisions the drive‑through clinic as a template for “future‑proof” public health infrastructure. “We’ve learned that a flexible, modular approach to health service delivery and workforce training is essential for resilience,” she explained. “By integrating everyday operations with emergency preparedness, we’re building a system that can pivot quickly in the face of any outbreak or disaster.”

KFYR‑TV’s coverage of the launch also highlighted community reactions. Residents who received flu shots expressed gratitude for the convenience, noting that the drive‑through format allowed them to stay in their vehicles while the clinic staff conducted a rapid pre‑screening. Several participants, who were hesitant about vaccination, cited the friendly, efficient service as a decisive factor in their decision to get vaccinated.

What to Expect Next

The NDDOH plans to use the clinic as a testing ground for additional public‑health interventions, including rapid diagnostic testing for COVID‑19 variants, vaccination drives for travel health, and emergency stock‑pile distribution for chemical or biological threats. The facility’s modular design will allow for quick reconfiguration, and the training program will evolve to cover emerging threats.

For those interested in participating in the training program or learning more about the clinic’s operations, the NDDOH’s Emergency Training Portal (https://www.nd.gov/health/Training-Portal) offers detailed schedules, course descriptions, and application instructions. The clinic itself will remain open through the winter flu season and beyond, continuing its dual mission of safeguarding public health through both immediate care and forward‑looking preparedness.

Bottom Line

Bismarck’s new drive‑through vaccine clinic is more than a place to get shot—it is a cutting‑edge training hub that exemplifies how public‑health infrastructure can serve dual purposes. By blending efficient vaccine delivery with real‑time emergency training, the North Dakota Department of Health is setting a new standard for preparedness that other states and localities can emulate.