COVID-19 vaccination update: Clarification on new March 22 eligibility date and criteria

Per guidelines from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, the following groups may be eligible to sign up for vaccine appointments starting Monday, March 22:

  • People age 16 and older with certain medical conditions. This eligibility group includes individuals with medical conditions associated with an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. A list of qualifying medical conditions is available on the DHS website.
  • Residents age 18 and older of 10 Milwaukee zip codes (53204, 53205, 53206, 53209, 53215, 53216, 53218, 53223, 53224 and 53233).
    • IMPORTANT: While Marquette University is located in the 53233 zip code, the university confirmed with the City of Milwaukee Health Department that this new eligibility criteria was intended to serve populations with a high social vulnerability index who have a higher burden of disease and increased risk of chronic health conditions. Learn more about how the CDC defines socially vulnerable populations.

Faculty, staff and students who meet the new eligibility criteria will be able to start making appointments on March 22 as vaccines are available. Please note current eligibility groups remain the priority.

Additionally, as reported in Marquette Today earlier this week, faculty, staff and student workers with direct student contact are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, per Wisconsin DHS guidelines. 

Based on the recent and anticipated increases in vaccine availability, DHS anticipates the general public will be eligible for the vaccine sometime in May.

On-campus vaccine clinics
The Marquette Medical Clinic has secured additional vaccine supply for the week of March 22. Please note that vaccines are still in limited supply and allocations are not yet available for all who are eligible. The university continues to prioritize 1A and 1B eligible groups, which includes faculty, staff and student workers who have direct student contact.

Pre-registration for on campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics continue for eligible faculty, staff and student workers who have direct student contact. Faculty and staff may also pre-register for vaccination through Froedtert hospital.  Please respond to the preregistration email even if you have received vaccine elsewhere or are declining via the opt out function. If you pre-register and then get vaccinated elsewhere, please cancel your pre-registration by emailing jennifer.schnuck@marquette.edu.

If you are eligible and can receive the vaccine from other sources (i.e. primary care doctor, hospital system, etc.) before it’s available to you at Marquette, you are encouraged to do so.

There are also currently vaccine appointments available at the Wisconsin Center, which is a short walking distance from campus. View eligibility requirements and make vaccine appointments online at milwaukee.gov/covidvax or by calling (414) 286-6800.


Important reminders:

  • The State of Wisconsin, NOT Marquette University, determines vaccine eligibility criteria. More information on the state’s eligibility requirements is available online.
  • You must get both doses at the same facility
    If you get your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine off campus, you cannot get your second dose at Marquette. Second doses are automatically allocated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to the vaccination site that provided your first dose. If you received your dose elsewhere, including out of state, that site is responsible for your second dose.
  • Once fully vaccinated, you should still wear your mask, practice social distancing, avoid crowds, wash your hands often and complete the daily COVID Cheq.
    Please remember that completing the daily COVID Cheq survey remains a key mitigation tool for campus. Per the CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated people should still watch for symptoms of COVID-19, especially following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. If symptoms develop, all people – regardless of vaccination status – should isolate and be clinically evaluated for COVID-19.
  • For vaccine help, Wisconsin residents can now call the COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Hotline at (844) 684-1064. Milwaukee County also created HealthyMKE, a COVID-19 vaccine resource website for residents to check if they are eligible for the vaccine. The website also provides links to various vaccination sites throughout the county.

Please submit all COVID-19-related questions via Marquette’s coronavirus website.