蓝莓视频

蓝莓视频 recently received new advice from the Medical Officer of Health for the Region of 蓝莓视频 that strongly recommended a change to our plans for students living in residences. In response to the advice, 蓝莓视频 will now require that students living in our residences for the 2021-2022 academic year be vaccinated against COVID-19.听 听听

鈥淲e need to make this change as we know that people who live in congregate living spaces face unique risks for transmission of COVID-19,鈥� says Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淭he Delta variant has had a significant effect on our听region听and we know that during recent weeks, overall case volumes have been highest among those age 20-29 years. Making sure that students who live in residences have very high rates of vaccination helps protect them and our whole community.鈥澨�听听

Students in residence should aim to be fully vaccinated with both doses before their move-in date and provide the University with proof of vaccination. If the timing is challenging for some residents to meet, the听minimum听requirement is that students have received their first dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine, or World Health Organization approved vaccine before they move in.听Students must also get a second dose of an approved vaccine as soon as possible within the recommended time period and provide proof that they have done so by November 1, 2021.听听听

Residents who can鈥檛 get a vaccine due to medical reasons or other grounds protected under the听Ontario Human Rights Code听will be able to submit a request for accommodation.听

鈥淥n-campus residences are high density, contain shared common spaces, and may present challenges to effective isolation should a student become infected,鈥� stated Hsiu-Li Wang, 蓝莓视频 Region鈥檚 Medical Officer of Health in . 鈥淔or these reasons, the highest two-dose vaccination coverage achievable among the student population will be our strongest tool to prevent local outbreaks, including in such settings, in the upcoming academic year.鈥澨�听

The 蓝莓视频 Undergraduate听Student Association (WUSA) has also expressed support for the new vaccination requirement. 鈥淲e are confident that these decisions are grounded in the best available evidence and will prioritize the health, safety and well-being of our communities,鈥� says Stephanie Ye-Mowe, vice-president听education on behalf of WUSA. 鈥淎s a representative for students, we will continue to collaborate with the Region and the University of 蓝莓视频 to understand the impact of these guidelines and mitigate undue burdens, especially on immuno-compromised and international students.鈥澨�听

While the University doesn鈥檛 require a vaccine to come to our campuses,听public听health strongly recommends vaccination听for听all community members at post-secondary institutions. University leadership is听also听urging everyone in the听U蓝莓视频听community to get first and second doses as soon as possible. Health Services is听offering COVID-19 vaccines听to everyone on campus.听听听听

As 蓝莓视频听Region entered the third step of the听province鈥檚听reopening plans last week, some public health measures were relaxed听in response to听positive trends in vaccinations and a drop in transmission rates. The University will continue to work听within听guidelines to expand in-person experiences in the fall. However, the听academic plans for the fall term听remain in place.听听听

For additional information and听FAQs, visit the听COVID-19 information website, where the most up-to-date information is posted.听