As we near the end of January, I wanted to share details with you about the booster requirements that will go into effect next week. Starting Feb. 1, the University of Maine System will require all students with in-person, on campus experiences who are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine shots to participate in weekly asymptomatic testing. “Up to date” means a person has received all recommended COVID vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.
Right now, individuals are eligible for booster shots if it has been 5 months since they received their second Pfizer or Moderna shot or 2 months since they received their Johnson & Johnson shot. Students who are booster-eligible but have not yet received the booster should plan to visit an UMPI testing center and complete weekly testing. Testing can be completed at the MMG Center (weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) or the Houlton Center (Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.).
Booster-eligible students who have not uploaded their booster information to the UMS online portal will be placed onto UMPI’s testing rolls. UMPI’s Health Center will be offering a booster clinic in the coming weeks; more information will be coming your way soon.
To upload your booster information, head to https://umaineportal.pointnclick.com/, select “Enter My COVID-19 Vaccination Information”, and click the upload button to upload an image of your vaccination card with booster information included. This will add your image to the portal, not replace your existing vaccination information. (Uploading this info does not apply to students who already have obtained a vaccination exemption.)
In addition to the booster requirement for students, effective Feb. 1, all members of the UMPI community who plan to travel outside of Maine for university-related business or activities must be up to date with their COVID-19 shots (that is, they must have received a booster if they are eligible). Faculty and staff are eligible for two hours of paid administrative leave time to obtain their booster.
Note: As was the case this past Fall semester, YourPace and other students taking classes entirely remotely (nor coming to campus for any other business) will not have to participate in testing.
My continuing thanks to each of you for all the work you’re doing to help keep everyone on campus as safe and healthy as possible this spring.
Ray