Vaccine FAQ

For the 2021/2022 academic terms, the University is requiring all student-athletes and student trainers (both Waterloo & Brantford Campuses) be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine in order to participate/compete in varsity athletics.

Below is a prepared a list of frequently asked questions that can be used as a reference (Note: Questions and answers are subject to change based on information as it relates to Wilfrid Laurier University, the Department of Athletics, Ontario University Athletics (OUA), OCAA, CCAA, U Sports, Region of Waterloo Public Health, Brant County Public Health and the Government of Ontario).

Why are vaccines now required for all Wilfrid Laurier student-athletes and student trainers?

We have continued to work closely with the OUA/OCAA and local public health officials to make sure our plans for the fall continue to support the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff, while ensuring that we can expand in-person experiences for everyone.

In making this decision, we considered the unique student interactions competitive sports entails, including close and regular contact in practices and competitions, group travel, and interaction with students from other institutions in high touch, competitive environments.

This means that student-athletes and student trainers who want to participate in interuniversity
athletics (re. varsity sport team training and competition) this academic year must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption for medical or creed/religion grounds.

Which Student Athletes & Student Trainers does this vaccine requirement apply to (please note this may be subject to change)?

All Student Athletes and student trainers who would be participating in OUA/OCAA sanctioned
competition as well as club and extramural athletes who travel or compete with other institutions.

What does unvaccinated or fully vaccinated mean?

Unvaccinated: Either an individual who has received one dose or no dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, or, an individual who has received their second dose, but 14 days has not yet passed.

Fully Vaccinated: An individual is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose in a 2-dose vaccination series.

Students who are fully vaccinated will still be required to comply with additional protocols to ensure team and community safety. These protocols may include consistent mask-wearing and any other required health measures.

Are there exemptions to the mandatory vaccination requirement?

Student athletes who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons or for matters relating to creed or religious beliefs protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code will be able to submit a request for accommodation. A request for accommodation can be obtained by contacting Ryan Lannan – Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport Programs at rlannan@wlu.ca. When emailing Ryan, please identify yourself the interuniversity team you are affiliated with. If you are a student trainer, please identify what full time Athletic Therapist you will be working with.

If you are a sport club or extramural student athlete more information will be coming a later date, but if you have questions you can reach out to Sarah Broderick (Manager, Recreation and Wellness) or Kristin Fernandes (Manager, Interuniversity Sport & Recreation – Brantford).

An accommodation for matters relating to creed or religious beliefs must have the form sworn or affirmed before a Commissioner of Oaths.

An accommodation for a medical reason must be signed by a Physician or Registered Nurse in the Extended Class (Nurse Practitioner).

Completed accommodation requests must be submitted by Friday August 20 at 12pm.

How will vaccination status be confirmed?

Confirmation will be completed through an attestation on your student athlete medical form, which will be tracked by your respective athletic therapist or department staff. This medical form must be completed prior to training camp. Links for your medical forms can be found here (you will receive more comprehensive information about student athlete registration and requirements the week of August 9):

First Year Student Athlete – Waterloo Campus (re. first time competing as Golden Hawk):
http://www.laurierathletics.com/files/therapy/VarsityAthleteFirstYearMedicalForm.pdf

Returning Athlete Medical Form – Waterloo Campus:
https://www.laurierathletics.com/athletes/therapy/medicalform-returning.php This link can also be used by all student trainers.

Student Athlete – Brantford Campus:
Confirmation will be completed through a declaration on a Qualtrics electronic form. The forms will be tracked by full time staff overseeing the Athletics & Recreation Program on the Brantford Campus. The form will be shared the week of August 9.

Competitive Club Student Athlete:
Confirmation will be completed through a declaration on a Qualtrics electronic form. The forms will be tracked by full time staff overseeing the Athletics & Recreation Club Program.

How do I obtain my vaccine receipt(s)/dates of my vaccination to confirm on my declaration? (Ontario students only)

If you have received either your first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccination in Ontario, you are able to download and print your COVID-19 vaccination receipt(s) through the Province's website. You must have a health card to use this online portal.

What are the vaccination requirements that must be adhered to?

All interuniversity student-athletes and student trainers will be required to be fully vaccinated with two doses of a Health Canada-approved vaccine for a minimum of 14 days (please definitions above) before they can participate in university competition. Student-athletes and student trainers will be able to train and perform their roles with their respective teams but not travel, compete and/or attend competition until they are fully vaccinated.

The university is asking student-athletes to receive their first dose of a Health Canada-approved vaccine as soon as possible or by August 16 and be fully vaccinated no later than September 30. The university strongly recommends that all student-athletes be fully vaccinated prior to September 2 as they arrive for their respective training camps.

Does the University permit exceptions to the requirement for a vaccine for student-athletes?

Exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement may be granted for verifiable medical or creed-based reasons under the Human Rights Code.

A confidential Vaccine Accommodation Request Form, and any supporting documentation, should be completed. Information about this process will be made and communicated the week of August 9.

Any request for accommodations should be submitted as soon as possible, with a deadline of August 20, to ensure timely responses and verifications that you can be deemed exempt.

Students who are granted exemptions on the basis of medical or creed-based reasons will still be required to comply with other protocols to ensure team and community safety. These protocols may include consistent mask-wearing, COVID-19 regular testing, limits on participation, access to facilities (re. dressing rooms, team meals, team workouts), travel and any other measures as required.

What will happen if I don't have proof of vaccination? Will I ever be asked to provide proof of my
vaccination record?

Student-athletes and student trainers who are not fully vaccinated by the required deadlines, or have not submitted a Vaccine Accommodation Request Form, will be removed from their team's roster and lose access to all privileges afforded to Laurier University student-athletes, including team or individual training, competition and any varsity integrated support systems (re. Athletic Therapy, Academic Accommodations, etc), Athletic Scholarship (AFA) and any other service offered by the department of Athletics & Recreation to Student Athletes.

Student athletes and student trainers could be asked (at random) to provide proof of their vaccine status to their respective athletic therapist and/or the Director, Associate Director or Manager. Those who fail to provide proof of vaccination in the form of a vaccine receipt(s) will not be allowed to train with their team until vaccination receipts can be provided that will match their declaration.

The University takes all reasonable steps to ensure a safe workplace. To that end, coaches and other staff within Athletics will be following all public health requirements and workplace
policies: https://www.wlu.ca/coronavirus/index.html

I am an international student-athlete and received my vaccine outside of Canada. Will my vaccine qualify?

The University recognizes all COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, in conjunction with Canadian international vaccine requirements. A list is available at the following website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-
vaccines/advice.

Guidance regarding international vaccines can be found at the following website: https://www.wlu.ca/coronavirus/index.html

I'm an international student-athlete or student trainer and have not yet received one or both vaccines. How do I get vaccinated once I'm in Canada?

International students can get the vaccine in Ontario if they are eligible! To find out if you are eligible, enter in your location and criteria into the Ontario booking website.

However, you may not be able to book your vaccination appointment online. The Department of
Athletics & Recreation will assist in facilitating an appointment with the campus Wellness Centre once you have arrived in Waterloo.

How can I get a vaccine?

Vaccines are increasingly available in most provinces. In Ontario, student-athletes are encouraged to book a vaccine appointment through the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Booking portal, using a walk in or pop-up clinic, pharmacy or in some cases accessing vaccines through their primary care provider. Students can also check with local public health authorities in their province or territory of residence. If arriving from outside of Canada, a student required to enter into a mandatory quarantine will need to wait until the end of the quarantine period to get vaccinated.

If I’ve already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?

Yes, those student-athletes who have already had COVID-19 will still be required to receive their vaccine. Experts do not know how long a person is protected following COVID-19. You could also become infected again with the virus.

If I’m vaccinated, will I still be subjected to potential COVID-19 Testing during my respective competitive sport season?

Possibly, yes. If you are experiencing symptoms or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should be tested. Testing protocols may be modified based on provincial guidance, public health advice or other circumstances.

If you are found to have submitted false, incomplete or misleading information on the form, you will be immediately removed as a student athlete (forfeit and return any scholarships received) and subject to consequences under your status as a student at Laurier will be under review through the Dean of Students Office and the Non Academic Student Code of Conduct -
https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/12.3-non-academic-student-code-ofconduct.html

Vaccination data will be used to prevent and respond to the presence of COVID-19 on campus and to comply with all Health Canada and local public health guidelines. All vaccination data/declaration will be securely held within your medical records as a student athlete at Laurier.