McMaster University, other schools strengthening campus vaccination policies

Several Ontario universities, including McMaster University in Hamilton, are strengthening their COVID-19 vaccine policies before classes begin next month.

In addition to McMaster, Carleton University in Ottawa and Western University in London say unvaccinated individuals without a valid medical or human rights exemption will not be able to enter campus grounds.

The schools have issued October deadlines for students and staff to get fully immunized.

The previous policies allowed unvaccinated people to take regular COVID-19 tests in order to be on campus.

The Council of Ontario Universities and Colleges Ontario has called for a provincewide policy that requires the vaccination of post secondary students, staff and faculty.

Last week, the province’s top doctor said there are plans for vaccination policies in post-secondary institutions.

The plans have not yet been made public.