McMaster University Athletics

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines for Student-Athletes FAQ's
 
For the 2021 / 2022 academic terms, the University is requiring all student-athletes to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine in order to participate in varsity athletics.  We have prepared a list of frequently asked questions as a reference. 

Why are vaccines now required for all McMaster student-athletes?
 
We have continued to work closely with the University and local public health to make sure our plans for the fall continue to support the physical and mental health of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff, while ensuring that we can expand in-person experiences for everyone.
 
This decision was made with the health and safety of our McMaster community at the forefront and in consideration of the unique student interactions varsity 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 who want to participate in athletic programming this academic year must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Participating student-athletes will be required to have received their first-dose of a World Health Organization recognized vaccine by August 8, 2021, and their second dose before September 5, 2021.

How do I obtain my vaccine receipt(s)? (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 does unvaccinated or fully vaccinated mean?
 
Unvaccinated: Either an individual who has received a 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 who has received the second dose of a 2-dose vaccine series at least 14 days previously, or, one dose of an approved 1-dose COVID-19 vaccine 14 days (two weeks) previously.
 
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 measures as required.
 
The McMaster Athletics Vaccinated vs Un-Vaccinated Protocol is available here.
 
How will vaccination status be confirmed?

Confirmation will be completed through PRIVIT.  PRIVIT is a secure solution to collect, manage, and process protected student-athlete health information.
 
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 will be securely held within the PRIVIT system. For additional information on the security and confidentiality of PRIVIT, please visit: https://privit.com/privit-addresses-health-and-privacy/ 

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.

McMaster University Department of Athletics Recreation Student-Athlete COVID-19 Vaccine Accommodations Request: https://marauders.ca/documents/2021/7/30/SA_COVID_19_Vaccine_Accommodation_Request.docx
 
A confidential Vaccine Accommodation Request Form, and any supporting documentation, should be completed and submitted to Chris Puskas, Head Varsity Athletic Therapist (puskasc@mcmaster.ca).   
 
Any request for accommodations should be submitted as soon as possible, and ideally by August 20, 2021, to facilitate timely responses.
 
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, limits on participation and any other measures as required.
 
What will happen if I don't have proof of vaccination when my training camp opens?

Students who fail to provide proof of vaccination in the form of a vaccine receipt(s) at the start of their team's training camp will be given 3 business days to provide these documents for review or to receive the vaccine if they not yet done so.

Student-athletes who don't get vaccinated or do not submit acceptable proof of vaccination by the required deadlines, or have not submitted a Vaccine Accommodation Request Form through Chris Puskas, will be removed from their team's roster and lose access to all privileges afforded to McMaster University student-athletes, including team or individual training, competition and any varsity integrated support systems.
 
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://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/covid19/.
 
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://housing.mcmaster.ca/future-residents/international2021/.
 
I'm an international student-athlete 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. To book your vaccine in Hamilton once you're eligible, you can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 hotline at 905-974-9848 and dial option 7.
 
Information on where to obtain a vaccine is available on the City of Hamilton's website at the following link: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-booking or at the Government of Ontario's website https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
 
How can students 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, do I still need to be tested?
 
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.