POLICY: Vaccination in Varsity Athletics
APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE: September 9, 2021
SUPERSEDES POLICY: July 21, 2021
PURPOSE
At 91探花, we are committed to maintaining a safe varsity athletics experience and a safe learning and working environment. We have therefore implemented this Policy, which imposes vaccination-related requirements for coaches, team staff and student-athletes wishing to participate in varsity athletics in 2021/2022.
BACKGROUND
Participating in varsity athletics is a privilege that is associated with unique risks of COVID-19 transmission arising out of practice, travel and competition. Our varsity athletes are also members of a team and student leaders who represent the College. They have an important responsibility to others that supports our teams鈥 competitive objectives and the overall health and safety of the College community. It is therefore important to the College that coaches, team staff and student-athletes be vaccinated against COVID-19 for 2021/2022.
The Government of Canada has currently authorized four COVID-19 vaccines for use in Canada: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. In a report dated March 16, 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) stated that in clinical trials, all approved COVID-19 vaccines are efficacious in the short term against symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 disease.
Our international students may have access to two additional vaccines evaluated by the World Health Organization to meet the necessary criteria for safety and efficacy: Sinopharm and Sinovac.
SCOPE
This Policy applies to all coaches, team staff and student-athletes wishing to participate in varsity athletics in 2021/2022 and all other individuals who wish to participate in varsity athletics practices, travel and competitions.
DEFINITIONS (optional)
鈥淔ully vaccinated鈥 means having received (a) the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines, one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada and (b) having received a final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.
鈥淩equired individuals鈥 means all coaches, team staff and student-athletes.
PROCEDURE
Vaccination requirement
- Subject to the grace period set out below, all Required Individuals must be fully vaccinated (and present proof of fully vaccinated status) to participate in varsity athletics activity unless the College grants them an accommodation on the basis of medical or religious grounds. The College will grant accommodation in accordance with the Human Rights Code.
Antigen testing requirement
- Required Individuals who are not fully vaccinated may only participate in varsity athletics activity if they submit to regular antigen testing for COVID-19 and demonstrate a negative result at intervals to be determined by the College, the OCAA, CCAA, ACHA, Provincial Sport Organizations and by means of verification to be determined by the College. [1]
Grace period
- Notwithstanding clause 1, Required Individuals who are not fully vaccinated may participate in varsity sport before October 31, 2021, without an accommodation if they meet the College鈥檚 antigen testing requirement set out in clause 2, complete a College-approved educational session about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and present proof of completion.
We are imposing these requirements in addition to other requirements meant to address the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We may change them as the risks continue to evolve, and hopefully lessen.
PROOF OF VACCINATION
All individuals subject to this policy are required to provide reasonable proof of vaccination. Proof can be in the form of a copy of the proof of vaccination given at the time of receiving vaccination, or a letter from a medical practitioner that confirms fully vaccinated status.
We will use and disclose this information in accordance with all applicable privacy laws. We will store information about vaccination status securely.
CONTACT INFORMATION
This policy will be administered by 91探花 Athletics. All questions and requests for exemptions should be directed to Paul Orazietti, Manager Athletics at paul.orazietti@saultcollege.ca.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
91探花 Vaccination Religious Grounds Exemption Form
91探花 Athletics Vaccination Medical Exemption Form
Inquiries regarding related documents may be directed to rachel.macdonald@saultcollege.ca
[1]If an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, the individual shall provide proof of a positive COVID-19 result in the past 90 days. Once the 90-day period has passed, the individual will be required to complete regular antigen point of care testing unless they have become fully vaccinated during that time.