Clusters of COVID-19 cases emerged during the months of December 2020 and January 2021 in the Vaud Alps. This epidemiological situation was worrying, as it appeared before a winter holiday period. In view of this epidemiological risk, the cantonal authorities decided to carry out mass screening in three communes from 5 to 13 February 2021 in addition to the standard measures in place. Seeing an opportunity to create innovative university teaching, Unisanté set up a new course for medical students of the University of Lausanne called Community Medical Practice. This immersion in the practice of public health enabled some thirty students to carry out several activities (clinical, research and epidemiological) in a unique pandemic context.