Algonquin College’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy & User Guide
For the latest information about our COVID-19 policies and procedures, visit our COVID-19 Updates page.
This Policy responds to public health requirements that post-secondary institutions establish policies that require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for persons attending in-person activities on Campus. The purpose of this Policy is twofold:
- to help ensure the safety and well-being of the College community through vaccination against COVID-19, complementing existing infection prevention and control measures, and
- (ii) to promote education and awareness regarding vaccination.
Please follow this link for the complete Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
The College has implemented the use of a digital, proof of vaccination feature within the Algonquin College Mobile Safety App. Individuals attending in-person activities are required to upload documentation confirming their vaccination status. Please note the following deadlines:
- As of now: Those choosing to be unvaccinated will not be permitted access to campus – unless they have been approved for an exemption (details on this process can be found here)
- As of May 1, 2022: Please see April 21, 2022 Message from the President for an update at this link.
The policy requirement of 2 negative rapid antigen tests from 2 different days during the previous seven (7) days will be applied for those individuals who have an exemption and are required to access campus.
This policy applies to all College community members who attend in-person activities at the Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth campuses and off-campus locations leased by the College such as Corporate Training Services at 700 Sussex Drive in Ottawa and Employment Services Offices operated by the College outside of Ottawa.
Enhancing Proof of Vaccination Requirements
Due to changes from the provincial government, effective January 4, 2022, the College will be requiring the use of the provincial enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code where proof of vaccination is required. The use of the enhanced proof of vaccine certificates will apply only to individuals that attend Algonquin College campuses that are not using the AC Vaccine Passport. Please find more details here.
Individuals that currently have an approved AC Vaccine Passport are not required to re-submit for the Winter 2022 term. The AC Vaccine Passport is still valid. Booster shots are not required to be submitted if you currently have an approved AC Vaccine Passport.
Where do I submit proof of vaccination?
Use AC Mobile Safety App the to submit proof of vaccination.
Also, as a reminder, self-screening is still required at all designated entrances. Please feel free to communicate these instructions with any visitors, guests and contractors that do not use the AC Vaccine Passport. All individuals must show identification along with their AC Vaccine Passport or enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code. Employee and student cards are also acceptable forms of identification. The QR code with photo ID can be presented at a designated College entry point either digitally or by printing a paper copy. The QR code will be scanned using the Verify Ontario app. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code using this link https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/ .
How to provide proof of vaccination, step-by-step
1. Photograph or screen capture the receipt(s) provided at the time of vaccination. You can also obtain your vaccination receipts from Ontario’s Vaccination webpage
2. Download/open the AC Mobile Safety App.
3. Follow the COVID-19 link
4. From the COVID-19 menu select the Vaccine Passport
5. Select your affiliation (Employee/Student or Contractor/Visitor) with the College.
6. Employee/Student sign in using your Algonquin College credentials. Contractor/Visitor register by entering in your information.
7. From the Start Application menu select Begin Application.
8. From the Apply for Vaccine Passport menu select your vaccine passport application.
9. From the Confirm Your Details page enter your phone number and your affiliation (Student – Living In Residence, Student – Living Off Campus, Employee).
10. Enter your vaccination information into the fields. Photos are the only acceptable file to upload.
11. Click Submit
How long is the approval process?
Allow 3 calendar days for your submission to be reviewed (please be aware that during the 2021 December holiday closure, there may be delays).
What do I do if I cannot use the AC Mobile Safety App?
If you are unable to submit your proof of vaccination using the AC Mobile Safety App, you use the web portal. All of the above steps can be followed. You will still be required to show your vaccination status when you attend a designated public entrance. Please print the email or show the email on your phone/tablet/laptop.
Daily COVID-19 Self Screening is still required.
Regardless of your vaccination status, all safety measures are still in place. You are required to complete the COVID-19 self-screening each day you attend campus. Masks are still required, social distancing is still mandatory and hand sanitizer will be made available.
How to request for a medical or human rights related exemption?
The College will consider exemptions to the vaccination requirement in appropriate and limited circumstances, where there is a duty to accommodate based on protected grounds under Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Please keep in mind that in accordance with the applicable law and guidance from public health officials and regulatory bodies, exemptions from the requirement for full vaccination against COVID-19 are limited.
We will consider creed based exemption requests, however, on September 22, the Ontario Human Rights Commission issued a policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates, indicating that personal preferences and singular beliefs against vaccination do not amount to a creed for the purposes of the Human Rights Code and do not create a right to accommodation. In addition, the Commission states that even if a duty to accommodate is triggered, it would not necessarily require an exemption from vaccine mandates due to pressing health and safety considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has been clear that medical exemptions are very rare, stating, “Generally speaking, there are very few acceptable medical exemptions to the COVID -19 vaccination (e.g., an allergist/immunologist confirmed severe allergy or anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of its components that cannot be mitigated; a diagnosed episode of myocarditis/pericarditis after receipt of an mRNA vaccine).” Please note that approved medical exemptions may be time-limited.
Employee members who wish to apply for an exemption must have an active employment contract for the period in which the exemption request applies. Please note the type and nature of the exemption request will determine the time required to review the submission. In addition, individuals that are applying for an exemption who are not fully vaccinated are not able to access campus during the exemption review process.
Please use the Algonquin College Mobile Safety app to register your information to be considered for exemption from the College HS 16 Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Addendum.
Students will be contacted by a Student Support Services representative to gather the necessary information to support your attestation.
Employees will be contacted by a Human Resources representative to gather the necessary information to support your attestation.
What do I do if I do not want to be vaccinated?
Please note: Only those fully vaccinated or in receipt of an approved exemption will be permitted to access campus.
Please use the Algonquin College Mobile Safety app to register your vaccine status.
Students will be contacted by a Student Support Services representative to discuss your choice and possible paths.
Employees will be contacted by a Human Resources representative to discuss your choice and possible paths.
Please refer to the College HS 16 Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Addendum. Please be mindful of the deadline stated in the policy to become fully vaccinated (October 30, 2021). After October 30, 2021 you will not be permitted access to College campuses unless you are fully vaccinated (the required doses of an approved regimen and a 14 day wait period) or have received an approved exemption.
The College strongly recommends that you pursue full vaccination for COVID-19. Being fully vaccinated demonstrates your personal commitment to helping to ensure a safe College community for all employees and students and is the most certain means by which you can reduce the seriousness of health effects from a COVID-19 (or related variant) infection. Being fully vaccinated also helps to assure that your campus experience will not be disrupted, as a result of not being fully vaccinated.
As an unvaccinated College community member who has an approved bona fide exemption, the following requirements apply:
- If you are regularly attending campus (multiple times per week), you must present proof of two negative rapid antigen tests from two different days during the past seven (7) days any time you are required to access a College campus.
- Proof of a negative PCR test (within the past 48 hours) will also be accepted to gain access to the campus for single visits, as an alternative to rapid antigen testing or obtaining an AC vaccine passport.
If you are attending the Ottawa Campus, you can obtain rapid antigen tests at pharmacies that offer these testing services. Health Services will also be providing testing services that you can access by following the link below.
If you are attending Perth or Pembroke Campuses or any other College operations that are subject to the policy, you can obtain rapid antigen tests at pharmacies that offer these testing services.
What is the policy/process around Rapid Testing?
As detailed in the College’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Addendum (Policy HS16), alternate safety protocols are being administered for eligible College Community Members who have not achieved a full COVID-19 Vaccination status (required number of doses plus a 14- day wait period) and are required to attend on-campus or in-person activities.
Negative results from Rapid Antigen Tests are being relied upon to provide a high level of assurance that a College Community Member is not carrying the COVID-19 virus if the Member is not fully vaccinated.
To support this requirement, Algonquin College is beginning to offer Rapid Antigen Tests to eligible College Community Members starting Thursday, September 9th.
The tests are being offered at no cost to College Community Members who are required to access campus AND have received approval for a bona fide exemption. The test being offered is the Panbio Rapid Antigen Test Nasopharyngeal swab.
Effective September 13th, the policy requirement of 2 negative rapid antigen tests from 2 different days during the previous seven (7) days will be applied.
This is an asymptomatic test only. Health Services cannot use this test on anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19. If you receive a positive result from a Rapid Antigen Test, it is considered a ‘preliminary positive’ and you will not be allowed on campus. You must then arrange for a follow-up PCR test within 24 hours by contacting your local Public Health Unit and/or booking an appointment at a local COVID-19 Assessment Centre. The PCR test is needed to confirm diagnosis.
Before coming to campus to access a test, please familiarize yourself with the College’s Vaccination Policy and follow the process for providing your proof of vaccination or exemption. You can access that information here.
Please contact your respective College campus to determine the availability of on-campus Rapid Antigen Testing.
Pembroke Campus details can be found here
Location: Room 127, 1st Floor of Pembroke Campus
Phone: 613-735-4700, Ext. 2748
Email: klawitl@algonquincollege.com
Website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/health-services/
Perth Campus
Health Services, See Front Desk Reception at Perth Campus
Phone: 613.727.4723 ext. 7222
Email: HealthServices@algonquincollege.com
Ottawa Campus details can be found here
Health Services, Room C141 (1st floor, C Building)
Phone: 613.727.4723 ext. 7222
Email: HealthServices@algonquincollege.com
Note: Eligible College Community Members who must obtain testing at community pharmacies or alternate providers in order to gain access to a campus will be reimbursed for the cost of the RA test. Only the series of Abbott Panbio rapid tests are acceptable and must be accompanied by results validated by an authorized health care practitioner.
For College Community Member with an approved medical exemption or other protected reason in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code:
- Testing for students and employees required for the duration of Policy Addendum HS16 – Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination
- Testing will be provided free of charge by Health Services or reimbursed by the College until circumstances change and such testing is no longer required.
Eligible College Community Members who must obtain testing at community pharmacies or alternate providers in order to gain access to a campus will be reimbursed for the cost of the Rapid Antigen Test. Only the series of Abbott Panbio rapid tests are acceptable and must be accompanied by results validated by an authorized health care practitioner.
Employee Reimbursements for Testing
Reimbursements for eligible employees requiring the Rapid Antigen Test will be made through the Workday Expense Claim Process upon submission of valid receipt. You can find a detailed step-by-step guide for employees here. Upon presentation of a valid receipt for a Rapid Antigen Test, Managers will approve these expense claims for their employees as required.
Student Reimbursements for Testing
Reimbursements for eligible students requiring the Rapid Antigen Test will be made through the College’s Finance Department. Students must submit by e-mail to studentCOVID19test@algonquincollege.comwith the following information:
- A valid test receipt displaying the student’s name, date and amount paid for the test (acceptable file formats include .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf or other common formats)
- Student number
- Current mailing address
Upon receipt of this information, a refund for the cost of the test will be sent to the current mailing address provided within 2 weeks.