Vaccines now mandatory at Algonquin
Students, staff and visitors at Algonquin College will have to show proof they have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to access campus starting Sept. 7.
A second-dose requirement will take effect by Oct. 12 at the latest, the college announced Wednesday.
“All learners, employees, contractors and visitors will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination — unless exempted — in order to attend in-person activities at our campuses in Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth. This includes those learners living in our residence on the Ottawa campus,” president and CEO Claude Brulé said in a statement.
The details are still under development and will be released in the near future, but the college plans to make the process as simple as possible with app-based technology, he said.
Algonquin's announcement comes as numerous other post-secondary institutions make vaccination mandatory.
The University of Ottawa announced on Aug. 9 that it would make first doses mandatory on Sept. 7 and require complete vaccination by Oct. 15. Carleton University announced on Aug. 12 that all students, faculty, and staff who access campus must either be vaccinated or submit to a rapid test for temporary access.
The U of O is hosting a vaccine clinic until Sept. 6, for post-secondary students, staff and their friends and family members.
Meanwhile, four Ontario teachers' unions say they're in favour of mandatory vaccination for all school staff and eligible students.
“To provide the greatest level of protection to Ontario's students and communities, we believe that everyone working in, or attending a school who is eligible and can be safely vaccinated, should be vaccinated,” said a statement from the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens; the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario; the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association; and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.
The unions represent teachers, education support workers and other school staff.
On Tuesday, the province announced that employers in Ontario's public education settings will need COVID-19 staff vaccination policies in place by Sept. 7. The directive doesn't make vaccination mandatory, but those who are unvaccinated must undergo regular antigen testing.
“Too few details have been provided with schools only weeks away from reopening,” the teachers' unions said on Wednesday.
The unions want provisions ensuring that those who are unable to be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons receive all the required employment accommodation. Those exempted for reasons due to statements of conscience or who are not vaccinated must be required to take additional precautions, including regular testing, additional PPE and distancing requirements, said the unions.