Effective May 22, Marquette will no longer require a COVID-19 vaccination or booster for students, with the exception of those who are studying or working in clinical or other settings that still require vaccinations. Those exceptions will be managed at the college or department level.
Marquette continues to strongly recommend that all students, faculty and staff get vaccinated against COVID-19 and stay up to date with recommended boosters. COVID-19 vaccination decreases severity of illness and hospitalizations for those infected. Current CDC guidance states:
- People 6 years and older who are unvaccinated or who previously received only monovalent vaccine doses are recommended to receive one bivalent mRNA vaccine dose.
- People 65 and older can get a second bivalent dose.
- Those who are immunocompromised are encouraged to receive one to three doses of bivalent vaccine depending on vaccine manufacturer and how many doses they’ve already received.
This change follows the announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services that it will allow the Public Health Emergency to expire on May 11, citing that COVID-19 “remains a public health priority, but…we are in a better place in our response than we were three years ago, and we can transition away from the emergency phase.” Additionally, last week, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency.
State and local health officials are pivoting as well. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced it is moving away from an emergency response to COVID-19. DHS shared how it will transition its emergency response programs and services. Some programs, including COVID-19 testing and vaccine services, will continue to undergo changes in the coming months. Locally, the Milwaukee Health Department announced changes for community vaccination and testing sites.
Testing and contact tracing at Marquette
The Marquette Medical Clinic will continue testing symptomatic students. (Note: The testing center at Coughlin Hall closed in March.) The university will discontinue contact tracing and, as such, will not identify or test close contacts.
If you test positive for COVID-19, please complete the self-disclosure form so the university is aware of your need to self-isolate. Please share with close contacts and monitor your symptoms.
Isolation accommodation
A limited number of isolation rooms will remain available on campus. The GetWell Loop resource from Froedtert Hospital will remain available for students in isolation on campus.
Getting vaccinated
If you need a COVID-19 vaccine, you can find a vaccination location near you or check with your health care provider or health care system. The Marquette University Medical Clinic no longer administers COVID-19 vaccines.
Marquette’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage for employees
The end of the federal health emergency response impacts health care benefits. Marquette employees and their families covered under the university’s UMR medical plans will continue to have their COVID-19 vaccines covered in full as part of the Marquette medical plan’s preventive care benefit, along with many other preventive care vaccines. See the full list on the HR website.
The chart below describes how claims for Marquette medical plan members have been paid and how they will be covered beginning May 12 and beyond.
All questions related to COVID-19 coverage should be directed to UMR at (800) 207-3172 or at UMR.com.
| Type of service | Coverage under the Marquette University (MU) medical plans at the onset of COVID-19 & Public Health Emergency (PHE) | Coverage effective May 12, 2023, and after, under the Marquette University (MU) medical plans |
| COVID-19 Lab Tests when requested by an authorized or approved health care provider | COVID-19 lab tests are covered under the MU medical plans at participating medical facilities and pharmacies at no cost. | COVID-19 lab tests are covered under the MU medical plans based on the type of provider/facility used. Deductible, copay or coinsurance may apply. |
| Provider visits associated with COVID-19 testing | Provider visits are covered under the MU medical plans based on the type of provider/facility used. Deductible, copay or coinsurance may apply. | Provider visits are covered under the MU medical plans based on the type of provider/facility used. Deductible, copay or coinsurance may apply. |
| COVID-19 vaccines | COVID-19 vaccinations are covered under the MU medical and prescription drug plans at no cost to the member. | COVID-19 vaccinations are covered under the MU medical and prescription drug plans at no cost to the member. |
| COVID-19 Testing Kits | Over the counter COVID-19 test kits (authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are covered under the MU prescription drug plans at no cost to the member. | Over the counter COVID-19 test kits purchased at participating facilities and pharmacies are not covered under the medical or prescription drug plans, but can be reimbursed through your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). |
