The Ontario Ministry of Health recently announced new guidance on who is defined as fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In Canada, four COVID-19 vaccines have been reviewed and authorized for use by Health Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). Niagara College has updated its Mandatory Vaccine Policy to align with Health Canada, which defines fully vaccinated as 14 calendar days following:
- The full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines, OR;
- One (1) or two (2) doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, OR;
- Three (3) doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada.
Effective October 5, proof of vaccination documents provided to the college must fall into one of the three categories listed above to be permitted to access campus as per Niagara College's mandatory vaccination policy.
Students, employees or contractors who have provided proof of non-Health Canada-approved vaccines prior to October 5 will remain approved for campus access. Anyone uploading proof of vaccination to Niagara College after October 5 must provide proof according to the criteria listed above.
Individuals who have received a partial or complete COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Ontario or Canada should contact their local public health unit to have their COVID-19 immunization record documented in COVaxON prior to receiving any additional doses and for their vaccination receipts.
It is important to note that given the changes at the provincial level, those with non-Health Canada approved vaccines will not be permitted to attend certain settings (restaurants, gyms, etc.) as per provincial policy, and won't be eligible for the Province of Ontario's enhanced vaccine certificate system which is expected to take effect on October 22.
Those immunized with non-Health Canada approved vaccines may also be subject to more stringent requirements should they test positive for COVID-19 or if they are identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive.
Click here for Ontario Health's full guidance for individuals vaccinated outside of Ontario.
Niagara College's updated mandatory vaccine policy is available here.
