Less than one percent of the University of Toronto’s 8,400 students living on campus have applied for an exemption from its triple-COVID-19-shot mandate, the school said Wednesday.
The university did not say how many waiver requests were granted, or how many students did not receive a booster dose, but said the “vast majority” of those living on campus have received three injections before arriving.
“The decision to require a booster dose – which is consistent with the province’s booster recommendation – was made to support the health and well-being of students in residence and allow them to get the most out of their experience. on campus,” the university said. written in a press release.
“The vast majority of students in residence were able to be vaccinated with a booster before moving into residence.”
The University of Toronto announced this summer that all students living in residence should receive three injections of a COVID-19 vaccine upon arrival.
The school said it continues to support students who are in the process of receiving a third vaccine, including holding vaccination clinics on campus.
“There are many reasons why students cannot get vaccinated yet – they should not yet receive the booster depending on the Canadian vaccination schedule, the availability of the bivalent booster or because they recently had the COVID-19,” he added. said.
“The numbers continue to change as we work with students in our residences to get the vaccines they need.”
Western University also imposed three doses, but for all students and employees, not just those who live on campus – the only university in Canada to do so.
The London, Ont., school did not provide figures Wednesday on how many students have already submitted proof of their booster shots by the January deadline, or how many who requested exemptions to the policy.
Earlier this month, Western extended the deadline to submit proof of vaccination from October 1 to January 9, 2023, after Health Canada approved the vaccine targeting Omicron, which became available to all adults in Ontario this week. .
“This gave members of the campus community the option to get vaccinated in early September or one of the new bivalent vaccines when available or boosted in early September with the current vaccine to be eligible again. in 90 days for a bivalent vaccine,” the university said in a statement Wednesday.
Western did not say whether students who refused to comply with the mandate faced consequences, but said students can opt out and receive a refund without giving a reason.
In August, a protest against Western’s mandate drew hundreds to campus, including students who criticized the university’s decision to announce the policy days before the start of the school year and at a time when warrants have been lifted in almost every other context. Some present vowed to press for his overthrow.
In its Wednesday statement, Western noted that a recent Ontario Superior Court decision on a five-student challenge supports the university’s vaccine mandate.
“The court’s finding supports Western’s position that the collection of vaccination evidence is necessary for the effective administration of our vaccination policy. Vaccination is an important measure to protect members of our community and preserve our experience of in-person learning,” the school said.
Trent University also requires those living in residence to receive two doses. The three schools are virtually the only places in Canada that remain under a vaccination mandate.
Earlier this week, the federal government announced that proof of mandatory vaccinations will be lifted at Canada’s borders starting Saturday.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on September 28, 2022.
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