UofT vax policy could boost uptake, but more needed to drive real increase: experts
A Toronto university's decision to require those living in student residences to have at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine could boost third-dose uptake among young adults, but it won't drive a significant increase unless other schools follow suit, experts say.
The University of Toronto announced last week that it was reinstating a vaccination requirement for those living in its residences and updating it to mandate at least one booster shot. It also recommended all others on campus stay "up-to-date" on COVID-19 vaccinations.
Dr. Fahad Razak, the scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, said the policy could help boost uptake among younger adults, noting the university's large student body and evidence about the effect of vaccine requirements.
But he said there would likely be a greater impact on uptake if other universities and colleges implemented a similar policy.
"There seems to be fairly robust evidence that when you require vaccination to be in a certain space, more people end up getting vaccinated because of that," he said.
"If more universities followed a similar policy, you would find, likely, an enhanced vaccine uptake of third doses, or potentially even other doses."
Third-dose uptake in the 18-29 age group is currently about 36 per cent nationally, which is lower than every other adult age group in Canada. By comparison, roughly 86 per cent in that young adult cohort have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Susy Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University Health Network in Toronto, said having post-secondary institutions "aligned" on vaccine policies would help boost third-dose uptake among young adults.
"It's never great when only one or two are doing something and others are not," she said. "People may choose not to go to places that have additional requirements if they're feeling fatigued by that and there are other options."
Hota added that vaccine requirements should evolve over time as more doses become available to ensure maximum protection, especially since immunity from vaccines wanes over time.
"Really it is about keeping up-to-date with immunizations," she said.
"We use that language for childhood immunizations and other things like that, which are required for schools and daycares and such. We should start thinking about that language for COVID vaccines too."
With the current variants of COVID-19 that are spreading, both Razak and Hota said having at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provides people with a "better degree of protection" from COVID-19 than just two doses. Razak noted that three doses can also prevent severe illness and disruptions to a person's life.
Razak suggested vaccinations are "only one part of the strategy" against COVID-19, and said universities, which often tend to have older buildings, should make investments in air filtration devices and promote masking as well.
The University of Toronto Students' Union said it supports the university's policy to require three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for those moving into campus residences, adding it is "deeply grateful to see the university being proactive and cautious as we enter another unpredictable fall."
However, it emphasized that "the onus of COVID-19 mitigation in residences should not be placed solely on students." It asked that the university continue its wastewater testing initiative, continue to offer rapid antigen and/or PCR tests for students, improve ventilation in its buildings and frequently disinfect communal settings.
The university stopped requiring proof of vaccination for those attending classes in person on May 1. It also gradually lifted its mask mandate in its indoor spaces, but is still encouraging people to wear medical masks in high-density indoor spaces when physical distancing is not possible.
- with files from Maan Alhmidi.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2022.
———
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario's 'crypto king' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed 'crypto king' from Whitby, Ont., has been arrested in Durham Region after allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
DEVELOPING Slovakian prime minister in life-threatening condition after being shot, his Facebook profile says
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
Person responsible for 1996 drugging of 'Titanic' crew likely not a local: Halifax police
Halifax Regional Police believe a non-resident could be responsible for the infamous drugging of numerous crew members of the 'Titanic' movie with a hallucinogenic in 1996.
OPINION Your attention span is shrinking, studies say. Here's how to stay focused: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.
If you've tried meditating but can't sit still, here's how - and why - to try again
The first time Marcelle Hutchins sat down to meditate, she put on a guided session, relaxed her shoulders and tried to close her eyes. She lasted two minutes.
BREAKING Quebec court rejects McGill injunction request to remove encampment
A Quebec judge rejected McGill University's request for an injunction to remove the pro-Palestinian encampment on the university's campus in downtown Montreal.
Ottawa to acquire Quebec Bridge from CN, will spend $1 billion on span over 25 years
The federal government says it has reached a deal with Canadian National Railway Company to acquire the historic Quebec Bridge.
LIVE NOW Officials to provide updates on Alberta wildfires on Wednesday after Fort McMurray evacuation
Several news conferences will be held Wednesday morning to update the public on the wildfire situation in Alberta, specifically near Fort McMurray where four neighbourhoods have been evacuated.
'Not a scarient': New COVID-19 subvariant dominant in Canada
A new COVID-19 subvariant is dominant in Canada, representing just over 30 per cent of cases in the country, but infectious disease experts say there’s no sign it’ll evolve into a summer 'scarient.'