Declaring Vaccination Status and Rapid Testing

Posted: August 25, 12:30 p.m.

Being fully vaccinated is the most important and most effective health measure we can take to protect ourselves and our community. With this in mind, effective September 1, U of A students, faculty and staff will be required to confidentially self-declare their vaccination status before participating in on-campus activities. Those who are not fully vaccinated, and those who would prefer not to disclose their vaccination status, will need to regularly complete a rapid screening test at a U of A rapid testing station and receive a negative test result before they participate in on-campus activities.

How to self-declare your vaccination status

1. Wait for your request to self-declare your vaccination status. Requests to self-declare will be sent to your @ualberta.ca email address. Requests will be sent between August 25 and 30.
2. When you receive your request-to-declare message, click on the “Vaccination Declaration” link in the email.
3. Login, declare your status, and submit the secure online form.

Between now and August 30, U of A students, faculty and staff will be requested via email to complete their online vaccination self-declaration. 

We anticipate that there will be a high volume of users accessing the self-declaration tool during the first week of September. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation in waiting for your date to participate. 

Once it is your turn, the process to self-declare should take less than five minutes.

Students, faculty, and staff who are not scheduled to be on campus during the month of September are asked to wait and provide their vaccination confirmation after September 7.

Those who report a “fully vaccinated” status may be prompted to provide verification by submitting their applicable Alberta Health Services or other public health authority forms. Failure to provide the required declaration or documentation or providing a false or misleading declaration may result in discipline under the Code of Student Behaviour, relevant Collective Agreement, or other applicable process. To be considered “fully vaccinated” by the University of Alberta, community members must meet Health Canada requirements. 

NOTE: Individuals who do not report being fully vaccinated will be required to complete regular rapid COVID-19 testing at a U of A rapid testing station before participating in on-campus activities. 

For more information, visit Vaccinations & U of A: What you need to know.

Rapid Testing Program starts on campuses September 1

Starting on September 1, students, faculty, and staff who do not disclose that they are fully vaccinated will be required to undergo weekly rapid testing before participating in on-campus activities this fall. Tests will be required once a week at designated U of A testing stations, which will be located on Augustana Campus, North Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, and at Enterprise Square. 

The U of A is using a non-invasive, self-administered nasal swab screening test, which presents results in approximately 15 minutes. Individuals attending testing sites will be required to wear a mask, maintain physical distance, and bring their ONEcard. Station attendants will be on hand to present participants with a self-test kit for use at the testing station; attendants will not conduct the test, but will record participation and to provide instructions as needed.

Regardless of vaccination status, anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and/or anyone who is a confirmed close contact of a positive COVID-19 case should stay home and should not visit the university’s rapid testing stations. Individuals feeling unwell should contact 811 Health Link to learn about AHS testing options. 

Participants of the university’s rapid testing program will be able to book appointment times online. For more information, visit the Rapid Testing Program webpage.

Note: Information about the appointment system will be shared prior to September 1.

Accommodations

Any individual who cannot be tested or vaccinated based on medical or other protected grounds recognized by the Alberta Human Rights Act can request an accommodation (see links below).

Embrace a fresh start, safely

We appreciate your patience as we continue to respond to the ever-changing realities of COVID-19 this summer and fall. These new safety measures are part of a joint back to campus strategy across Alberta’s research-intensive universities. The U of A is taking an approach to community health and safety that is best suited to the campus context. Learn more about the U of A’s health and safety measures by visiting uab.ca/covid19.

Additional resources:

• Vaccinations & U of A: What you need to know
• Vaccination locations
• U of A Rapid Testing Program
• Academic Accommodations for Students
• Permanent Medical Accommodations for Employees