THUNDER BAY — Students planning to live in residence at Lakehead University this fall will require at least their first COVID-19 vaccination shot.
It's mandated under the COVID-19 prevention guidelines the university has established.
LU will also require students in residence to confirm their plans to receive a second dose of vaccine.
The university says students who have difficulty accessing a vaccine may contact Residence Services for help booking an appointment.
However, in a statement Monday, Lakehead said any students unable to be vaccinated "for medical or other reasons" may request an exemption.
Vaccinations will not be mandatory for other students, faculty and staff, but the statement said they are being encouraged to get their vaccines as soon as possible.
Lakehead's guidelines are similar to those of other Ontario universities.
However, in a first in the province, Toronto's Seneca College has said it will require all students and staff to be fully immunized before arriving on campus unless they have a medical or religious exemption.
Colleges Ontario, the association that represents 24 public colleges, says the decision on mandatory vaccinations is at the discretion of each school “based on local circumstances and in consultation with their local public health authorities.”
Confederation College is expected to announce its requirements later this week.
