The line wrapped around the Orange Cove Community Center increases by the hour as the crisp morning dew starts to dissipate. Among those in line are some of the Central Valley’s most vulnerable communities — farmworkers and individuals age 65 and up who are waiting to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

They are among the first group in the region to receive the vaccine.

Inside the center, Fresno State nursing student Danielle Pacheco prepares to administer the first dose of the Moderna vaccine to a migrant worker who appears to be in his 60s. He rolls up his sleeve slowly and Pacheco inserts the shot with careful precision. He lets out a hesitant, but hopeful sigh. For many of the migrant workers lined up this February day, this brings renewed optimism for their health and livelihood.

Since February, these pop-up vaccine clinics have been made possible through a partnership between the Fresno State School of Nursing and local community organizations and government agencies, including the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, Saint Agnes Medical Center and Cultiva La Salud.

The clinics have visited rural communities where access to health care — and the vaccine — are not readily available. Over 60 nursing students have helped to administer over 3,700 vaccines.

Students volunteer for a variety of roles, including client intake and screening, preparation of vaccines, administration of the vaccines and the observation station.

“While they are gaining experience in assessing, instituting an intervention and monitoring the effect, the students are gaining compassion and giving back to the community,” said Dr. Sylvia Miller, chair of the School of Nursing.

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