Algoma University to implement vaccination requirements this fall (updated)

1:00 p.m. update:

The president of Algoma University says the institution’s forthcoming policy on vaccination against COVID-19 will ensure that all students, fully vaccinated or not, will be able to continue their education uninterrupted when in-person classes resume on all three of its campuses this fall.  

Asima Vezina told SooToday Monday that a draft of the university’s vaccination policy is expected to be before senior executive for approval by mid-week, in hopes of implementing the policy on campus by the end of next week.   

“We’re working very closely with the university sector from across the province to do that - really sharing best thinking, best practices and the advice of local public health as we move forward,” Vezina said.

The university plans on asking people who are fully vaccinated to provide proof that they have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s also working to put procedures in place for those who have not yet been fully vaccinated.

“We know that it will still take a little bit of time to get everybody that wants the vaccination through, so we’re working very closely with local public health,” said Vezina. “We’ll be having vaccine clinics on campus, but we also know there’s lots of vaccine clinics around the community that people can go to should they wish to be vaccinated.”

Rapid testing and other health measures will be in place this fall for those who have not received two doses of the vaccine in order to ensure a quick response should someone test positive for COVID-19 on campus.

Vezina says Algoma University will accommodate those that are either unable or are not planning to receive the vaccine at this time. 

“We are aware that for some groups, whether it’s religion or other human rights, not everyone can get a vaccination at this time, and so there will just be extra precautions and protocols put in place, again, just to ensure the health and safety of all students and employees as we plan for the return back to campus in September,” she said. 

Vezina says the university is looking forward to welcoming students back this fall.

“We know from some provincial survey data that’s been done with students that students are anxious to return. It’s not been easy for many students, and we’re weighing the concerns of the Delta variant and COVID itself against some of the mental health challenges and some of the academic challenges that students have been facing while they’ve been in a remote environment,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to bringing everybody back to campus, and we’re being very vigilant on our health and safety protocols as we do that, and really trying to be as flexible as possible in these first three or four months as we return.”

Original story:

Algoma University has confirmed that it’s going ahead with ‘vaccination requirements’ on campus this fall. 

A spokesperson for the post-secondary institution says the Delta variant and public health advice have informed the university’s decision to implement the requirements. 

“In light of the rising Delta variant and evolving public health advice, Algoma University is moving forward on the implementation of vaccination requirements for the Fall 2021 term,” said Megan Parlowe, communications officer for the university, in an email to SooToday Monday. 

Further details on the vaccination requirements are expected to occur sometime this week, following meetings with stakeholders on the implementation of the plan. 

SooToday will have more details as they become available.