Unvaccinated individuals in the Western University school community will not get the option to undergo twice-a-week testing if they choose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The university announced the change to its on-campus vaccine policy Wednesday evening with just under two weeks to go until the school year starts. Western and its affiliated university colleges, Brescia, Huron and King's said it has decided to eliminate the option for regular testing in those who refuse to get vaccinated except under rare exemptions.
According to Western, the change comes after a letter from the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) was sent to all postsecondary institutions in the province.
"The virus will continue to circulate this fall and it is important to create the conditions that will allow students to return to in-person education and the postsecondary sector to operate with appropriate public health measures in place during the COVID pandemic," read the letter written by COMOH chair, Dr. Charles Gardner.
Dr. Gardner added that vaccination paired with other public health measures such as indoor mask use, capacity limits and physical distancing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
"Rapid testing protocols are not preventive and are not a replacement for immunization and should be used only in instances where vaccination is not possible," Gardner said.
Earlier this month, Western said all students, staff and faculty returning to campus in September would be required to have proof of their vaccination status before coming on to school grounds. Those without proof of their jabs would have to be tested twice a week. Now only those with medical or Ontario Human Rights Code exemptions will be eligible for testing in order to be physically on campus.
"There is no longer a testing option for those who simply choose not to be vaccinated," a release from Western University read.
Western said it previously conducted a survey to gauge vaccination rates within the school community. Of the 62,000 people the survey was sent to, nearly 50 per cent responded. Around 90 per cent of respondents said they are already fully vaccinated, while more than half of those remaining said they plan to get their shots by September.
Proof of vaccination for anyone planning to be on campus this fall must be provided by no later than September 7.
