A growing number of universities in Canada including Ottawa, Queens, Western, Toronto, among others are mandating full vaccination of students in order to be on campus.
In Ontario, the University of Ottawa has made vaccination mandatory for in-class learning this fall. In a statement, the school said that the health of its community was its first priority, which is a responsibility to share.
It has asked students, visitors and faculty to get their first jab by September 7 and the second jab by October 15.
It is also worried about the low vaccination rates of Canadians aged between 18 and 39 years and the risks of a possible fourth Covid wave.
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Similarly, the University of Toronto has also asked students, visitors and staff to get fully vaccinated or show a negative test result before entering the campus.
Western University has announced a mandatory vaccination requirement for its campus along with its affiliated colleges including Brescia, Huron and Kings. Those without proof of vaccination will be required to get tested twice a week to be allowed entry to the campus.
Ontario University Institute of Technology will also require students to fulfill vaccine requirements.
Earlier, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it was planning to require vaccination proof as a measure to support the reopening of international travel.
Seneca College was the first Canadian college to require vaccinations, followed by St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario.
The University of Guelph has also mandated full vaccination against COVID-19 for students to return to campus this fall.
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Around 23 schools in the country are requiring, although not mandating students living in residence to be vaccinated.
On the other hand, a lot of Canadian universities and colleges are doing away with mandatory shots and instead relying on rules requiring vaccinations for those living on campus or playing sports. This is in sharp contrast to the US, where over 662 colleges and universities have announced vaccinations requirements.
Quebec universities will let students return to campus with or without vaccination.
Dalhousie University, planning on delivering most classes online, will encourage but not mandate vaccination as the province has already recorded full vaccination of 75% of its residents.
At present, around 60% of Canadians are fully vaccinated and international students, permanent residents can also receive the vaccine in Canada.
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Source: The PIE News
