Mohawk College's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Statement

Effective April 18, 2022 Mohawk College’s Vaccination Policy has been suspended. The policy may be reinstated on short notice if conditions change.

As of January 3, 2022 you must have received at least one dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine, or, have received an approved exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code in order to enter a Mohawk College facility or attend a Mohawk College related event. Beginning Monday February 14, 2022, you must be Fully Vaccinated, or, have received an approved exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code in order to enter a Mohawk College facility or attend a Mohawk College related event. If you are coming to the College it is important that you complete the steps outlined below before January 3, 2022 or well in advance of your first day on campus. These steps MUST be completed before you come to campus. You will not be able to do this upon arrival to enter the College. Allow a minimum of 5 business days to process submissions.

 

The College expects an increasing presence of on-campus academic and operational activity beginning January 3, 2022 and further expects that even employees and students who may be participating in a remote work/study arrangement may be required to attend the College from time to time (student support, events, testing, activities etc.) and should be prepared to comply with this Policy Statement.

 

On August 31, 2021, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities released the Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework for Fall 2021. Included in this framework were requirements for postsecondary institutions to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy in place by September 7, 2021, including requirements for providing proof of vaccination, exemptions, testing and an education program.

Beginning January 3, 2022, all employees, students, contractors, volunteers, guests and visitors attending all Mohawk College campuses and facilities or attending a Mohawk College related event must have received at least one dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine, or, have received an approved exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Beginning Monday February 14, 2022, all employees, students, contractors, volunteers, guests and visitors will be required to confirm that they have been Fully Vaccinated with a Health Canada approved vaccine, or, have received an exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code before entering a Mohawk College facility or attending a Mohawk College related event.

Employees and students who do not need to attend College property but who regularly work or study at a sanctioned off-campus site (i.e. dual credit programs, placement and co-op activities) are expected to comply with this Policy Statement, and, may be required to comply with any additional requirements of the sanctioned off-campus site.

Please note that regardless of your vaccination status, all requirements related to mandatory daily health screening, personal hygiene, sanitation requirements and PPE (i.e., masks) remain in place for anyone attending a Mohawk facility or attending a Mohawk event until further notice. For more information on these requirements visit the Campus Access section of the College’s COVID-19 website.

 Mohawk College reserves the right to update this policy statement as changes in public heath recommendations, regulations and laws occur. At all times, if requirements declared by public health authorities or the provincial government exceed the requirements of this Policy Statement, the public health or government requirements will prevail.

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1. Scope

This Policy Statement applies to all students, employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors and vendors accessing Mohawk College campuses and other facilities under the control of Mohawk College. This Policy Statement will remain in place until further notice.

Existing disciplinary measures may apply to those who do not follow this policy statement.

2. Proof of Vaccination

Proof of vaccination will not be processed upon arrival. This MUST be done before you come to Mohawk College. Allow a minimum of 5 business days to process submissions. Employees and students only need to provide proof of vaccination once.

PLEASE NOTE: Mohawk College is closed December 24, 2021 until January 3, 2022. While requests are being processed, you may experience delays. Please plan to submit your proof of vaccination or intention to submit an exemption request well in advance of this time period.

Those who are not Fully Vaccinated by January 3, 2022 (have only received one dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine) and those who have received an exemption for medical reasons will be required to do regular rapid antigen testing. Individuals who receive an exemption for other than medical reasons will be required to complete an education program and do regular rapid antigen testing. Those who have not received an approved exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code or are not Fully Vaccinated by February 14, 2022 will not be able to access Mohawk College facilities or attend Mohawk College related events.

“Fully Vaccinated” means having received the dosage of one or more vaccines plus 14 days that provides full-protection in accordance with Ontario public health guidance. Given the changing nature of the pandemic, if the applicable public health authorities announce a different meaning of “Fully Vaccinated”, that different definition will take precedence. For example, if public health authorities announce that additional vaccine doses (i.e., “booster shots”) are required, individuals may not be considered Fully Vaccinated until they have obtained the additional dose(s).

How to Submit Proof of Vaccination to Mohawk College using the Mohawk Safety App or Internet Portal

The quickest and easiest way to provide proof of vaccination is through the Mohawk Safety App, which can be downloaded from the links on the college’s website.

Watch this short video on how to upload your proof of vaccination.

To provide proof of vaccination:

  1. Obtain your vaccination receipts from Ontario’s Vaccine Booking Portal, or scan or photograph the receipt(s) provided at the time of vaccination.
  2. Download/open the Mohawk Safety App.
  3. Follow the Mohawk Vaccine Status link in the App. You will be asked to sign in using your Mohawk ID or register using one of the other available options.
  4. From the Vaccine Status page click on the Apply for Vaccine Status link.
  5. Click Begin Application and enter your name and contact information or confirm auto populated data.
  6. Select your confirmation status.
  7. Choose Confirm your full vaccination here if you have received two doses. Enter your vaccine details: name of your first dose vaccine and the date you received it on, name of your second dose vaccine and the date your received it. Upload a JPEG or PDF of your second dose vaccination receipt
  8. Choose Confirm your partial vaccination here if you have received one dose. Enter the vaccine details, name of your first dose and the date you received it on and submit a pdf or JPEG of your first dose vaccination receipt.
  9. Review and Click the declaration field
  10. Click Submit

Can't Access the Mohawk Safety App?

If you are unable to request an exemption using the Mohawk Safety App, you follow the same process by using the secure internet portal.

Having Difficulty or Would Prefer to not use the App or Portal?

Please contact healthycampus [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Healthy Campus) to make other arrangements for requesting a medical exemption.

 

3. Exemptions

Exemptions applications will not be processed upon arrival to enter Mohawk College. This MUST be done before you come to Mohawk College. Allow a minimum of 2 weeks to process submissions. Employees and students only need to apply for an exemption once (but you may be asked to provide additional information to support your initial application).

 

3.1 Medical Human Rights Based Exemptions

Mohawk College encourages all those seeking a medical exemption to use the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code for medical exemptions.   Staff and Students who provide the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code as their documentation of medical exemption will be granted exemptions and will not be subject to the two week wait for processing. Please see below for instructions on how to obtain an enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code.

 

Alternatively, employees and students without proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 can provide written proof of a medical reason, provided by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class that sets out:

  • a documented medical reason for not being Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19; and
  • the effective time-period for the medical reason.

Individuals who establish an entitlement to medical accommodation will be provided reasonable accommodations and will be expected to comply with any requirements that the College deems necessary to protect community health and safety, including, the requirement to complete regular rapid antigen testing once every seven days. 

Please use the Mohawk Safety App to register your intention  to request an exemption for medical reasons and then submit the COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form to healthycampus [at] mohawkcollege.ca.   Until an exemption request is approved and a reasonable accommodation plan is put in place, the request for access to College property will be processed as though an exemption has not been requested. Similarly, if a request for an exemption is denied, the request for access to College property will be processed as though an exemption has not been requested.

COVID-19 Medical Exemption Request Form

How to Obtain Your Enhanced Vaccine Certificate with QR Code for Medical Exemption Requests

The process for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions can be reviewed at the City of Hamilton’s Proof of Vaccination Website, or, is outlined bellow.

  • To obtain an enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code, individuals who have an eligible medical exemption must ask an Ontario physician or registered nurse in the extended class to submit their exemption directly to public health (in the location where the issuer’s practice is located). Hamilton Public Health Services is only accepting exemption requests by fax or by mail and that the fax number or the sender’s mailing address must match with the issuer’s practice’s information according to their CPSO or CNO profile.
    • Hamilton Public Health Services – Vaccine Program:
      • Fax: 905-546-4841
      • Mailing address:
        City of Hamilton
        Public Health Services, Vaccine Program
        P.O. Box 897, Hamilton, Ontario
        L8N 3P6
      • If you require assistance with submitting the exemption request, please call the Vaccine Records line at 905-540-5250.

 

The vaccine trial Principal Investigator for a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial can submit an exemption, with the written or verbal consent of the trial participant, directly to the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900) This line is available 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.

Once an individual’s exemption is reviewed and entered into COVaxON by public health, they will be able to access their enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code the same as all other individuals (online or by phone).

Medical exemptions issued outside of Ontario are not eligible for an enhanced vaccine certificate.

 

3.2 Non-Medical Human Rights Grounds-Based Exemptions

Employees and students who cannot be vaccinated due to a substantiated non-medical human rights based grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code will continue to be provided reasonable accommodations and will be expected to comply with any requirements that the College deems necessary to protect community health and safety, including, the requirement to complete an education program and complete regular rapid antigen testing once every seven days.

The costs of external tests will not be covered by the college. If you choose to use an external service, you must either bring the results to the college Rapid Antigen Testing Clinic or email to antigenclinic [at] mohawkcollege.ca for verification and tracking. Please note, test results other than those mentioned will not be accepted.

Please use the Mohawk Safety App to register your intention  to request an exemption for a non-medical human rights based exemption and then submit the COVID-19 Non-Medical Exemption Form to equityandinclusion [at] mohawkcollege.ca. Until an exemption request is approved and a reasonable accommodation plan is put in place, the request for access to College property will be processed as though an exemption has not been requested. Similarly, if a request for an exemption is denied, the request for access to College property will be processed as though an exemption has not been requested.

COVID-19 Non-Medical Human Rights Based Grounds Exemption Request Form

 

Guide for Completing the Non-Medical Human Rights Based Grounds Exemption Form

In the event you are requesting a non-medical human rights grounds-based exemption for the reason of religion/creed, in order to review your request, we will require the following information from you.  Please ensure you address this information in your form.

Please describe:

  • How your creed or religion is sincerely, freely and deeply held;
  • How your creed or religion is integrally linked to your identity, self-definition and fulfilment;
  • How your creed or religion is a particular and comprehensive, overarching system of beliefs that governs your conduct and practices;
  • How your creed or religion addresses ultimate questions of human existence, including ideas about life, purpose, death and the existence or non-existence of a Creator and/or a higher or different order of existence;
  • How your creed or religion is connected in some way to an organization or community that professes a shared system of belief;
  • If applicable you can present a declared statement of faith and a charitable number; and
  • Any other information that you feel is relevant to the review process.

 

3.2.1 How to complete the mandatory education component for non-medical human rights-based exemptions

As required by provincial directives, individuals who receive a non-medical human rights-based exemption will be required to complete a mandatory education program along with the Rapid Antigen Testing. You do not need to complete the education program prior to January 3, 2022. Details about the education program will be communicated to participants directly.

 

How to Request an Exemption

To request an exemption through the app:

  1. Download/open the Mohawk Safety App.
  2. Follow the Mohawk Vaccine Status link in the App. You will be asked to sign in using your Mohawk ID or register using one of the other available options.
  3. From the Vaccine Status page click on Exemption Request.
  4. Click Begin an Exemption Application and enter your name and contact information or confirm auto populated data.
  5. Click Submit

If you have already applied for an exemption, the college is now reviewing your request. Please do not submit another request, as this may delay processing times.

Next Steps if your Exemption Request is Denied

There are limited options available for students who do not meet the requirements for an exemption and who choose not to be vaccinated. Please contact your Program Coordinator to discuss your situation. 

For Apprenticeship Program students, please contact your Program Coordinator or apprenticeshiphub [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Email Apprenticeship Hub. )

Can't Access the Mohawk Safety App?

If you are unable to request an exemption using the Mohawk Safety App, you follow the same process by using the secure internet portal.

Having Difficulty or Would Prefer to not use the App or Portal?

Please contact healthycampus [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Healthy Campus) to make other arrangements for requesting a medical exemption.

 

 

4. COVID-19 Testing

4.1 Rapid Antigen Testing 

Individuals who have received only one dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine as of January 3, 2022 will only be eligible for Rapid Antigen Testing until February 14, 2022 unless you have received an approved human rights grounds-based exemption. As of February 14, 2022, if you are not Fully Vaccinated and have not received an approved exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code, you will not be able to enter a Mohawk College Facility or attend a Mohawk College related event.

Any individual who is not confirmed as Fully Vaccinated but has received an approved human rights-based exemption must complete Rapid Antigen Testing once every seven days. This would include those who are partially vaccinated or have registered and/or been accepted for an exemption based on human rights grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

The testing will either be done at clinics located at Mohawk College, or, through an external service provider. Only students and employees who have been accepted or applied for an exemption or have been confirmed as partially vaccinated will be allowed to access the college Antigen Testing clinics.

The costs of external tests will not be covered by the college. If you choose to use an external testing service, you must either bring the results to the college Rapid Antigen Testing Clinic or email to antigenclinic [at] mohawkcollege.ca for verification and tracking. Please note, test results other than those mentioned will not be accepted.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, do not come to Mohawk College and do not attempt to access a Rapid Antigen Testing clinic. Instead, please book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 test at a testing centre in your community.

Locations and hours of operations for Mohawk College Rapid Antigen Testing clinics will be sent directly to those have an approve exemption by email.

Mohawk College will continue to review the rapid antigen testing process following federal and provincial guidelines.

4.2 PCR Testing

Mohawk College offers PCR testing by appointment only for qualified students and employees (including contractors, the MSA, Paragon, Chartwell’s etc.). In order to qualify for PCR testing, you must first complete the Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment. If the assessment recommends that you be tested for COVID-19, you can either download a PDF copy of the assessment result or take a screenshot of the result and email it to Healthservices [at] mohawkcollege.ca to request an appointment time. 

PCR tests are covered by the province and are only available to those who have been deemed by their Public Health unit to be a close contact of an active COVID-19 case, or those who are experiencing symptoms of the virus. 

PCR tests will also be available to anyone who tests positive at a Mohawk College Antigen Screening Clinic. The PCR test will be used to confirm the results of the rapid antigen test.

For information on alternative testing centre locations in Hamilton, visit the City of Hamilton's COVID-19 Testing Centre website.

5. Contractors, Vendors, Visitors and Guests

5.1 Contractors and Vendors

Mohawk College requires that employers who have contractors/workers on college facilities have a COVID-19 vaccination policy that is substantially similar to the college’s. Employers must ensure that only those contractors/workers that are in compliance with the policy are authorized to perform work at Mohawk College.

In order to access college facilities, employers/contractors/workers must be on an approved list maintained by Mohawk College Security Services. For any questions, or, to be added to the approved list, contact Security Services.

5.2 Visitors, Volunteers and Guests 

Visitors, volunteers and guests are expected to comply with vaccination requirements prior to coming to Mohawk College via the proof of vaccination process outlined above.

Where visitors, volunteers and guests are entering a Mohawk College Facility or attending a Mohawk College related event that is subject to Ontario’s vaccine passport rules under O. Reg. 364/20  (such as eating on campus, attending a sporting event or personal use of fitness facilities etc.), the individual must be Fully Vaccinated or have received an approved medical exemption.

Proof of vaccination for visitors, volunteer and guests will not be kept on file and is required to be submitted on a per-entry or event basis. This should be done before you come to Mohawk College or attend a Mohawk College related event.

6. Collection, Documentation and Reporting

 The information you provide will be verified by a qualified member of the college’s Health and Wellness team. Your personal information is secure and will be handled in accordance with privacy regulations. No personal medical information will be kept on file, and all medical records will be permanently deleted once your status has been confirmed.

Mohawk College is required to collect, maintain, and disclose the statistical (non-identifiable) information required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities on a weekly basis.

7. Contacts and Resources

If you have additional questions, visit our COVID-19 FAQ page.

Visit the Entering Campus Checklist page on the COVID-19 Update site for links and information about downloading the Mohawk Safety App, obtaining a ONE card, designated entrances and parking. This page also contains important information about the daily requirements to access campus, such as mandatory daily health screening, how vaccine status is confirmed and PPE requirements, including masks.

 

Can't Access the Mohawk Safety App?

If you are unable to request an exemption using the Mohawk Safety App, you follow the same process by using the secure internet portal.

Having Difficulty or Would Prefer to not use the App or Portal?

Please contact healthycampus [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Healthy Campus) to make other arrangements for requesting a medical exemption.

Need Support Becoming Vaccinated?

If you need support to become vaccinated please contact the Student Wellness team via email to healthycampus [at] mohawkcollege.ca (Healthy Campus).