Based on advice provided by the Medical Officer of Health for Waterloo Region, Conestoga will require students living in residence for the 2021-22 academic year to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“On campus residences are high density, contain shared common spaces, and may present challenges to effective isolation should a student become infected,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang in a letter sent to the presidents of the region’s three post-secondary institutions. “For 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.”
The University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University will also require students living in on-campus residences to be vaccinated for the 2021-22 academic year.
Conestoga students living in residence will be required at minimum to have their first dose of a Health Canada-approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to their move-in date and should aim to be fully vaccinated with two doses. For information about booking a vaccine appointment, visit the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 website.
The college’s Medical Care Clinic at the Doon campus will also offer vaccines by appointment to students 18 years of age or older beginning on Monday, July 26. Book an appointment online or contact medicalcare@conestogac.on.ca for more information.
Those who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or other grounds protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code will be able to submit a request for accommodation.
Public Health strongly recommends vaccination for all members of our community, including the Region’s three post-secondary institutions. High vaccination rates will provide added protection for students and employees as well as the broader community as pandemic restrictions ease and we look forward to the return of more on-campus activities and services.
Protecting the safety and well-being of the college community is Conestoga’s highest priority.
For more information and updates, visit Conestoga’s COVID-19 Information portal.