Vaccination required at UWO residences
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Plan to live in residence this fall? You need a COVID shot: Western University
At least one dose of the COVID vaccine will be mandatory for students who want to live in Western University’s residences this fall, the school said Thursday.
Publishing date: May 27, 2021
At least one dose of the COVID vaccine will be mandatory for students who want to live in Western University’s residences this fall, the school said Thursday.
“With accelerated COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the region, Western University is preparing for a full return to in-person classes while prioritizing the health and safety of the campus community,” Western said in a statement.
The mandatory vaccine for students also extends to those living in residence at its affiliated university colleges including Brescia, Huron and King’s, if Ontario’s supply of the vaccine allows, the school said.
“We’re asking students to play an important role in keeping themselves, their friends and classmates, and our community safe and healthy,” said Western president Alan Shepard.
Students are being asked to get vaccinated before they arrive at school, but those who don’t have any access will have two weeks after they move in to get vaccinated.
Exceptions may be made for students who for medical or other reasons under the Ontario Human Rights Code cannot be vaccinated.
“Vaccination is the single most important intervention in reducing the transmission of COVID-19,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, the region’s top public-health official. “This will be particularly important with the return of students to postsecondary institutions in our region in the fall of 2021.”
Western is also “strongly encouraging” all members of the campus community to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
The university will operate an on-campus vaccination clinic later this summer.
Masking and other COVID-19 safety measures will continue on campus and Western’s fall plans are subject to provincial and public health requirements, Shepard said.
“If there is a need to change course, we will,” he said.
