Western University requiring staff and students returning to campus to have received a COVID-19 booster shot by the start of October has been pushed back until the new year.The university says the decision comes in response to the approval by Health Canada last week of Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine targeting both the original novel coronavirus and the original Omicron variant.Instead of Oct.
1, students, faculty and staff are now required to submit current proof of vaccination to the school by Jan. 9, 2023.“This booster deadline extension reflects the new Health Canada information and is supported by our experts,” Florentine Strzelczyk, provost and VP (academic) for Western, said in a statement.“It also responds to the call from our student leaders to provide more time for students in residence to be vaccinated.” Fact check — Yes, the Moderna Omicron shot for Canada was tested on humans.
What to know In Ontario, initial shipments of the bivalent vaccine will be limited, with those most vulnerable, including long-term care residents and staff, receiving the vaccine first.Health Canada says there will be enough supply of the shots for all Canadians 18 and older to get a dose this fall and winter.Western unveiled its vaccine mandate for the new school year in late August, becoming the only university in the country to mandate booster shots for all staff and students on campus.Most Ontario universities have not imposed vaccine or mask mandates for the fall semester, and the province has lifted proof-of-vaccination rules in public spaces.Students and staff are required to have had at least three COVID-19 shots and must wear medical-grade masks in classrooms and seminar rooms.