Vaccines now mandatory for Cambrian College students living on campus
Concerns about the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has prompted Cambrian College to make vaccines mandatory for students who will be living on campus.
In a letter issued Friday, college president Bill Best told the student body the decision was made in consultation with Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
"Public Health Sudbury & Districts has shared with us various concerns that can have an impact on post-secondary institutions and which could present unique challenges when it comes to the transmission of COVID-19," the letter said.
"These include the lower vaccination rate among people aged 18-29 in Sudbury and area, the higher local COVID case counts for people in this age bracket, the current dominance of the Delta variant of COVID-19 which is more potent, and the communal living settings typical of college and university residences."
Students need at least one shot of a vaccine approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization and must be fully vaccinated by the end of the semester.
Students must also be able to provide proof of their vaccine status before moving in on campus.
"This is based on consultations that we've had with Public Health based on their advice and recommendations," said Dan Lessard, Cambrian's manager of communications.
"All through this pandemic we've been following their advice and recommendations, as well as government directives to ensure the health and safety of the people who work here as well as the people who study here. This is becoming a standard practice among an increasing number of colleges and universities."
Lessard said the situation is constantly evolving and they made the decision with the best information they had available.
They plan on working with the health unit to offer vaccine clinics on-site once the school year begins.
He said it's important to note that this is just for students planning to live on residence.
"Public Health specifically mentioned residences because of the fact people are living in closer quarters and they have lots of communal space," Lessard said. "What they have said is they're asking colleges and universities, including schools like Cambrian, to facilitate the vaccination of as many staff and students as possible."
COVID-19 safety protocols and infection prevention measures will be in place throughout their buildings.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.