A University of Toronto decision to require those living in student housing to have at least three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine could boost third-dose uptake among young adults, but won’t lead to a significant increase unless they follow suit and other schools, experts say.  .
The University of Toronto announced last week that it was reinstating the vaccination requirement for those living in its halls of residence and updating it to mandate at least one booster dose.  He also advised everyone else on campus to stay “in the know” about their 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 on the impact of vaccine requirements.
However, he said it would likely have a greater impact on uptake if other universities and colleges implemented a similar policy.
“There seems to be pretty strong evidence that when vaccination is required to be in a certain space, more people end up getting vaccinated because of it,” he said.
“If more universities followed a similar policy, you would likely find an enhanced uptake of third doses of the vaccine or possibly other doses as well.”
Third dose uptake in the 18-29 age group is currently about 36 per cent nationally, lower than any other adult age group in Canada.  By comparison, about 86 percent in this cohort of young adults have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Susie Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University Health Network in Toronto, said “aligning” post-secondary institutions with vaccine policies would help boost third-dose uptake among young adults.
“It’s never great when only one or two do something and others don’t,” he said.  “People may choose not to go to places that have additional requirements if they feel tired of it and there are other options.”
Hota added that vaccine requirements should evolve over time as more doses become available to ensure maximum protection, especially as vaccine immunity wanes over time.
“It’s really about getting the word out about vaccinations,” he said.
“We use that language for childhood vaccinations and things like that, required for schools and daycares and stuff. We should start thinking about that language for COVID vaccines as well.”
With current variants of COVID-19 spreading, both Razak and Hota said having at least three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine gives people a “better degree of protection” from COVID-19 than just two doses.  Razak noted that three doses can also prevent serious diseases and disorders in 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 invest in air filtration devices and promote coverage as well.
The University of Toronto Students’ Union said it supports the university’s policy of requiring three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for those moving into campus housing, adding that it is “deeply grateful to see the university being proactive and cautious as we enter a another unexpected fall.”
However, he emphasized that “the burden of mitigating COVID-19 in residences should not fall solely on students.”  He asked the university to continue its wastewater testing initiative, continue to offer rapid antigen and/or PCR tests for students, improve ventilation in its buildings and disinfect common areas frequently.
The university stopped requiring proof of vaccination for those attending in-person classes on May 1.  It also gradually lifted its indoor mask mandate, but still encourages 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 on August 4, 2022. 
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This story was produced with financial assistance from Meta and the Canadian Press News Fellowship.