Queen’s University to require employees and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19

Queen’s University has announced that it will require all students, staff, and faculty returning to campus for the fall semester to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The university says that students, staff and faculty will need to be fully vaccinated or have a plan to do so, by Sept. 7.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the health and safety of our campus and Kingston communities has been our top priority. We know from medical science that ensuring high vaccination rates is the most effective way to mitigate a fourth wave and to best safeguard our anticipated full return to campus,” said Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor in a release. “We have made these decisions based on the advice of, and in consultation with, medical and public health experts, and feel strongly that our Queen’s community will do its part to support these efforts for the common good.”

The university said that individuals accessing campus or other university property who have not been fully vaccinated will be required to undertake additional health and safety protocols and COVID-19 testing as recommended by Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health.

“Queen’s will review accommodation needs for those who are unable to get vaccinated for medical or other reasons related to grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code,” the university said in a release.