Western University has decided to drop its controversial vaccine mandate for students after months of opposition from student groups.."Based on the latest consultation with our medical experts and local public health, we are revoking our vaccination policy and will no longer require students, employees, and visitors to be vaccinated to come to campus," Western University said in a statement on Tuesday..The university said despite the change in policy, COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the "best defence" against severe health outcomes from the virus.."We strongly encourage everyone to remain up to date on their vaccinations," they said..Western was the first university in Canada to require COVID-19 vaccines for students in residences back in 2021. On Aug. 22 2022, it announced that students and staff would be required to have three COVID vaccine doses to come to campus..Several student groups were outraged with the decision, given that the Ontario government and many Ontario universities dropped their vaccine mandates altogether. On August 27, hundreds of people gathered on the campus to protest the university's decision..The university announced in September it would extend its deadline for students to get their COVID-19 booster until Jan. 9, 2023, but this did little to placate many students. A group of them attempted to sue the university for its decision, but in September the Ontario Superior Court tossed out their lawsuit..READ MORE: Western students sue university for COVID-19 booster policy.Despite Western University's decision to revoke its vaccine mandates, it said masks will also still be required in instructional spaces following the December break. They said medical-grade masks are available for free in libraries and some of the university's largest classrooms..The Western University group Students 4 Agency said Tuesday they were pleased with the university's decision, but now the "real work begins to correct the damage" inflicted on the student community..Students 4 Agency said they polled approximately 950 Western University students and found 86.6% of vaccinated students felt they'd been coerced into getting the shot.."Every coerced, ostracized, and abused member of the community deserves an apology and much more," they said.."Thank you to all the students, staff, and parents who spoke up. You made this happen."
Western University has decided to drop its controversial vaccine mandate for students after months of opposition from student groups.."Based on the latest consultation with our medical experts and local public health, we are revoking our vaccination policy and will no longer require students, employees, and visitors to be vaccinated to come to campus," Western University said in a statement on Tuesday..The university said despite the change in policy, COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the "best defence" against severe health outcomes from the virus.."We strongly encourage everyone to remain up to date on their vaccinations," they said..Western was the first university in Canada to require COVID-19 vaccines for students in residences back in 2021. On Aug. 22 2022, it announced that students and staff would be required to have three COVID vaccine doses to come to campus..Several student groups were outraged with the decision, given that the Ontario government and many Ontario universities dropped their vaccine mandates altogether. On August 27, hundreds of people gathered on the campus to protest the university's decision..The university announced in September it would extend its deadline for students to get their COVID-19 booster until Jan. 9, 2023, but this did little to placate many students. A group of them attempted to sue the university for its decision, but in September the Ontario Superior Court tossed out their lawsuit..READ MORE: Western students sue university for COVID-19 booster policy.Despite Western University's decision to revoke its vaccine mandates, it said masks will also still be required in instructional spaces following the December break. They said medical-grade masks are available for free in libraries and some of the university's largest classrooms..The Western University group Students 4 Agency said Tuesday they were pleased with the university's decision, but now the "real work begins to correct the damage" inflicted on the student community..Students 4 Agency said they polled approximately 950 Western University students and found 86.6% of vaccinated students felt they'd been coerced into getting the shot.."Every coerced, ostracized, and abused member of the community deserves an apology and much more," they said.."Thank you to all the students, staff, and parents who spoke up. You made this happen."
