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Vaccination Mandate

McMaster’s Vaccination Policy, put in place October 2021, is on pause.

  • Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to make sure they are fully vaccinated, including booster shots, and to ensure that their MacCheck vaccination status is up to date.
  • Vaccination requirements for students, visitors, new hires, volunteers and contractors are paused.
  • McMaster host hospital and health partners will continue to have their own COVID policies and protocols and these need to be followed by faculty, staff and learners who attend these locations.  
  • Should it become necessary in future to resume the Policy, all community members will continue to need to demonstrate alignment to the Policy requirements at that time.

The information below details the paused Policy’s requirements. 

I'm fully vaccinated

The information below is a record of the Vaccination Policy requirements for McMaster students, faculty and staff (in effect as of October 18, 2021 and paused as of May 1, 2022).

Expandable List

For the purposes of McMaster’s vaccine policies and in line with the Government of Ontario’s updated definition, an individual is considered fully vaccinated if they have received: 

  • 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
  • They received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.
  • Access MacCheck here: maccheck.mcmaster.ca
  • Log in with your MACID and password
  • MacCheck will prompt you to upload your COVID vaccination receipt of your second (or final) dose.
  • When uploading your vaccination documentation, it is recommended that you use an image file (.jpeg, .png). 

Please upload an image or PDF with both receipts to MacCheck. MacCheck cannot accept two uploads so ensure that both receipts are captured in one picture, image or file.

Prior to October 12, 2021, individuals who received a full series of a vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization (e.g., CoronaVac/Sinovac and Sinopharm/BBIBP) were considered fully vaccinated under the Province of Ontario’s definition 14 days after their final dose. 

International students who received a full series of a vaccine authorized by the WHO AND uploaded their proof of vaccination to MacCheck by the October 17th deadline are allowed to attend McMaster and in-person classes as long as they have received their green checkmark in MacCheck and have waited the required 14-day period following their final dose.

For ongoing updates around vaccine requirements for travel, please visit this page.

If you have a certified translation of your vaccination documents into French or English, please upload that certified translation to MacCheck, rather than your original proof of vaccination in another language.

If you do not have a certified translation, you can upload the original document and we will translate it for you. You may be asked to indicate the document’s language.

Currently, there is no functionality in MacCheck to edit your submission. If you have made an error in your proof of vaccination or information, please email vacc@mcmaster.ca explaining your situation. In the meantime, as long as you have received a green checkmark within MacCheck, you are cleared to come to campus.

Next steps

Vaccination proof approved, pending or denied? Here’s what to do now.

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe by uploading your proof of vaccination before the deadline. You will be cleared to come to McMaster as long as you have a green checkmark in MacCheck, including the following actions: 

  1. Complete one-time COVID-19 training in Avenue to Learn if you have not already done so. 
  2. Continue to complete COVID-19 health screening in MacCheck at the start of every day you come to McMaster. 
  3. Continue to follow all health and safety measures, including wearing a mask indoors. 

Thank you for helping keep our community safe by uploading your proof of vaccination before the deadline. While your vaccination proof is pending, you are cleared to come to McMaster as long as you have a green checkmark in MacCheck. Please continue with the following actions: 

  1. Regularly check the homepage in MacCheck to keep track of the status of your vaccination proof. If your documentation is approved, follow the steps above; if your documentation is denied, follow the steps below. 
  2. Complete one-time COVID-19 training in Avenue to Learn if you have not already done so. 
  3. Continue to complete COVID-19 health screening in MacCheck at the start of every day you come to McMaster. 
  4. Continue to follow all health and safety measures, including wearing a mask indoors. 

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe by uploading your proof of vaccination before the deadline. If your vaccination proof is denied, you are not cleared to come to McMaster until you re-upload your proof to MacCheck. 

To re-upload your proof of vaccination: 

  1. Log in to MacCheck.  
  2. Check the top right corner of your MacCheck screen for a notification bell. NOTE: If you do not see the bell, please click the “X” on the yellow banner to remove the banner. The notification bell should then be visible.  
  3. Click on the bell to review information about your “Declined” status.  
  4. To re-upload, go to the “submit vaccination attestation” page and click the Upload vaccination record link. 
  5. A File Upload window will open. Select the applicable document and click Open. 
  6. Once uploaded, the “Submit vaccination attestation” page will have an icon appear with the file name in it. 
  7. Click the Next button, and the Summary page showing that the vaccination attestation is “pending review” until the Validation Team has reviewed the submission. While your vaccination proof is pending, you are cleared to come to McMaster as long as you have a green checkmark in MacCheck. 
  8. Continue to regularly check the “bell” icon in MacCheck to keep track of the status of your vaccination proof. 

A proof of vaccination document may be declined for any number of reasons, including but not limited to: 

  • Document did not upload properly 
  • Image of document is too large 
  • Image of document is an incompatible format 
  • Image is too blurry to be reviewed 
  • Document appears unrelated to vaccination record 

If you have questions about why your document has been declined or need additional help with your MacCheck upload, please email vacc@mcmaster.ca as soon as possible. 

I’m not fully vaccinated

The information below is a record of the Vaccination Policy requirements for McMaster students, faculty and staff (in effect as of October 18, 2021 and paused as of May 1, 2022).

Expandable List

As of October 18, 2021, McMaster’s Vaccination Policy requires all students, faculty and staff to have uploaded proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to MacCheck or have an approved human rights exemption.

If you have not uploaded proof of vaccination to MacCheck, you are not cleared to come to McMaster unless you have an approved human rights exemption. 

This means that you cannot attend campus or a McMaster-affiliated site for any reason, including but not limited to: 

  • Attending an in-person class 
  • Attending your place of work 
  • Visiting the library 
  • Attending an appointment or using a service 
  • Going to a campus eatery 
  • Attending a meeting on campus 
  • Using the gym or athletic facilities 

This also means that there may be impacts on your course or program progression for students and employment status for faculty and staff.  

If you are fully vaccinated but missed the deadline to upload, please upload your proof of vaccination to MacCheck immediately. This applies to staff, students and faculty who are working on-site or remotely. You are not cleared to come to McMaster until you do so. 

Vaccination exemption information

New staff and faculty are required to provide proof of vaccination or to have an approved human rights-based exemption in place upon hire. As a result, any staff or faculty who are requesting a human rights – based exemption should submit their request as soon as possible, prior to their start date, to allow the University to review their request. More information is available on how to submit a request here:

Exemptions can be requested for protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code, which includes medical conditions. Exemptions will only be granted when substantively linked to a human rights ground with accompanying documentation. 

Wondering what’s considered a medical exemption? Check out this article for some insight from a medical expert. 

Steps for requesting an exemption on medical grounds: 

  1. Complete part 1 of the exemption request form and ask your physician to complete part 2.
  2. Submit the completed form to a secure and confidential MacDrive upload link via:
  3. You may be asked to provide further information.
  4. *If you haven’t already accessed MacCheck, please simply login to allow for processing of your exemption request form

Steps for requesting an exemption on non-medical grounds: 

  1. Submit the completed form to the Vaccination Validation Team at vacc@mcmaster.ca.
  2. You may be asked to provide further information.
  3. *If you haven’t already accessed MacCheck, please simply login to allow for processing of your exemption request form

*IMPORTANT – In order to process your exemption request form, you must login to MacCheck to activate your account.

No – while you are waiting for your exemption request review, you may not attend a McMaster location. If you have any questions about your application, please contact vacc@mcmaster.ca

It will take some time for the validation team to process and validate exemption requests. Please be patient. If you have questions about the exemption process, contact vacc@mcmaster.ca. 

I’m external to McMaster

The information below is a record of the Visitor Vaccination Policy requirements for anyone without a McMaster ID or those who do not have an active student or employee relationship with the university (in effect as of October 18, 2021 and paused as of May 1, 2022).

 

Expandable List

A volunteer who is fully vaccinated must:

  • Use the McMaster Safety App to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at least one hour before their first time attending a McMaster location.
  • In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

A volunteer who is not fully vaccinated may not attend a McMaster location until fully vaccinated or receive an exemption from the University on the basis of a substantiated human rights ground.

  • Visit Hamilton Public Health’s website to find information about where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the community at a clinic or participating pharmacy today.
  • Apply for a COVID-19 vaccination exemption from the University on the basis of a substantiated human rights ground from McMaster. Medical exemption forms can be found here. The form for non-medical human rights grounds can be found here.
  • Questions? Email vacc@mcmaster.ca.

Definition: A visitor refers to anyone who goes inside a building at a McMaster location for a consecutive 15-minute period or for a total period of at least one hour during a 24-hour period, and is inclusive of persons attending a McMaster location for conferences, recreation, sporting events, concerts, performances and restaurant patrons. Guests of the McMaster hotel properties are also considered visitors.

  • To attend a McMaster location, all visitors must use the McMaster Safety App to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at least one hour before their first time attending a McMaster location.
  • In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

If you are not fully vaccinated, visitors cannot attend a McMaster location.

Definition: Contractors with multiple staff working on site at McMaster locations are considered large contractors.

  • Employees of large contractors are required to provide proof of vaccination to their employer.
  • Your employer will attest that their staff coming on site are cleared to come to a McMaster location.
  • If an employee of a large contractor cannot provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, they can request an exemption on the basis of a substantiated human rights ground from their employer. Those with approved exemptions will need to complete health and safety requirements.
  • More information for contractors can be found on the Facility Services website.

In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

Definition: An independent contractor refers to a contractor who attends a McMaster location alone to complete work.

  • Use the McMaster Safety App to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at least one hour before their first time attending a McMaster location.
  • In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

An independent contractor who is not fully vaccinated may not attend a McMaster location until you either become fully vaccinated or receive an exemption from the University on the basis of a substantiated human rights ground.

  • Visit Hamilton Public Health’s website to find information about where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the community at a clinic or participating pharmacy today.
  • Apply for a COVID-19 vaccination exemption from the University on the basis of a substantiated human rights ground from McMaster. Medical exemption forms can be found here. The form for non-medical human rights grounds can be found here.
  • Questions? Email vacc@mcmaster.ca.

More information for contractors can be found on the Facility Services website.

  • To attend a McMaster location, all employees of an organization that leases space from McMaster must use the McMaster Safety App to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at least one hour before their first time attending a McMaster location.
  • In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

If you are not fully vaccinated, employees of an external organization that leases space from McMaster cannot attend a McMaster location.

Not sure if this applies to you?

Ask your supervisor if you are an employee of an external organization that leases space from McMaster and if these steps are required by you. McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) will set and communicate protocols for tenants separately. Please contact MIP for details on this process.

Definition: A member of the public refers to anyone coming to a McMaster location and staying outside only, or only coming into a building for less than 15 minutes. For example, a member of the public includes anyone who does not have MacID and is coming to a McMaster location to enjoy a walk outside or delivery personnel.

Members of the public do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend a McMaster location.

McMaster Safety App

Learn more about the tool visitors, volunteers and contractors use to upload vaccination proof.

Download the McMaster Safety App on any internet connected Apple or Android device. It is also available via website browser.

Please see the instructional video below for Safety App workflow:

You will not be required to show your McMaster Safety App approval to enter campus or a campus building.  There will not be any random checks for McMaster Safety App approval in open and common areas of campus.

The approval message on the McMaster Safety App appears with a date and QR code. You may be asked to present this information in service settings, including:

Upload your vaccine attestation proof or receipt using the SafetyApp-Web Browser by following these steps.

Step 1:
To access the SafetyApp via website browser visit this link – SafetyApp- Web Browser. The website homepage will look like the one in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App site

Step 2:
Now, select your affiliation with the university.

If you are registered as a current student or employee choose the “Continue” button below “I am a currently registered student or employee with McMaster Credentials” as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster safety app site

If you are a Visitor, Volunteer, Contractor, Retiree or Alumni choose the “Continue” button below “I am a visitor, volunteer, contractor, Retiree or Alumni attending McMaster Property” as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App site

Step 3:
If you chose Student or Employee in the previous step, you should be directed to a login page requesting your MacID credentials.

* Please refer to the How-to-Guide on MacCheck Digital tool for detailed steps after this.

  1. If you chose Visitor, Volunteer, Contractor, Retiree or Alumni in the previous step, you should be directed to a page where you need to Register/Login as a guest as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App site

Step 4:
Register for an account on MacCheck.

CLICK on “Register as a Guest”
ENTER your MacID in the ‘EMAIL’ field
ENTER your Password in the ‘Password’ field
Re-ENTER your Password in the ‘Password
(Confirm)’ field
CLICK “Register”

You should receive a confirmation message saying “You are registered successfully. Thank you!”.

OR

Login to your account

ENTER your MacID in the ‘Email Address’ field
ENTER your Password in the ‘Password” field
CLICK “Login”

Step 5:
Choose your Vaccination Status from the Vaccine Verification Option page

1. If you are fully vaccinated select “Begin Application” option under ‘If you are Fully Vaccinated statement’ as shown in the image.

2. If you are partially vaccinated select “Begin Application” option under ‘If you are Partially Vaccinated statement’ as shown in the image.

Step 6:
You should be directed to the “Confirm your Details” page as shown in the image.
ENTER your details and SELECT “Next”.

Step 7:
A) If you selected “Fully vaccinated” in Step 5, you should be directed to a page to enter your vaccination details in this step as shown in the image.

B) If you selected “Partially vaccinated” in Step 5, you should be directed to a page to enter your vaccination details in this step as shown in the image.

Step 8:
Filling out the Vaccine Information

1. For the fields “Vaccine Dose 1 and/or 2” – SELECT your type of vaccine from the dropdown as shown in the image.

2. For the fields “Vaccine Dose 1 and/or 2 Date” – SELECT the date of your vaccination as shown in the image.

3. For the fields “Vaccine Documentation” – UPLOAD your vaccination receipts for both the doses. Or AT LEAST 1 receipt of the final dose administered to you, if you are fully vaccinated.

To upload your receipt CLICK on “Choose File” button under the field ‘Vaccine Documentation’ as shown in the image and UPLOAD the document from your computer or cloud.

NOTE: The acceptable formats are png, jpeg or pdf.
*In case of Janssen, UPLOAD your receipt of the 1 dose only.

Step 9:

After filling in all the details and uploading your vaccination receipt/(s), CLICK on the check box beside the “I consent….” statement, and SELECT “SUBMIT”.

Step 10:

After submitting your vaccination details, your upload is now complete, and a confirmation screen will be shown with a “Thank you message” similar to the one shown in the image below.

After the submission:

Your vaccination attestation has been submitted to the McMaster Vaccine Validation Team. An approved or declined status will show on the Application Status page which can be accessed through the “View Vaccine Passport” option on the home screen as highlighted in the image. You may be contacted by the Vaccination Validation Team as part of a validation audit. If you have any questions, contact vacc@mcmaster.ca.

OR

You can go back to the main menu by CLICKING on the “Return to menu” option.

OR

You can check your application status by CLICKING on “View Application Status” option.

Results: 

If you made a submission for Partially Vaccinated you will receive a note “Status Invalid” response.

If you made a submission for Fully Vaccinated, you will receive an approved vaccine passport with a QR code as shown in the image.

Please use the McMaster Safety App to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at least one hour before their first time attending a McMaster location.

In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

Upload your vaccine attestation proof or receipt using the SafetyApp digital tool by following these steps.

Step 1:
When you open the app on your mobile phone you will land on the home page as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 2:
From the home page, click on “MacCheck: Your Covid-19 Digital Tool” as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 3:
Now, select your affiliation with the university
A) If you are registered as a current student or employee choose the “Continue” button below “I am a currently registered student or employee with McMaster Credentials” as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

B) If you are a Visitor, Volunteer, Contractor, Retiree or Alumni choose the “Continue” button below “I am a visitor, volunteer, contractor, Retiree or Alumni attending McMaster Property” as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 4:
A) If you chose Student or Employee in the previous step, you should be directed to a login page requesting your MacID credentials as shown in the image.

Please refer to the How-to-Guide on MacCheck Digital tool for detailed steps after this.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

B) If you chose Visitor, Volunteer, Contractor, Retiree or Alumni in the previous step, you should be directed to a page where you need to confirm your vaccination status as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 5:
A) If you are fully vaccinated select Begin application with this icon a black and white arrow symbol

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

B) If you are partially vaccinated select “Begin application” with this icon An arrow symbol

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 6:
You should be directed to the “Confirm your Details” page as shown in the image. ENTER your details and SELECT “Next”.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 7:
A) If you selected “Fully vaccinated” in Step 5, you should be directed to a page to enter your vaccination details in this step as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

B) If you selected “Partially vaccinated” in Step 5, you should be directed to a page to enter your vaccination details in this step as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 8:
Filling out the Vaccine Information
1. For the fields “Vaccine Dose 1 and/or 2” – SELECT your type of vaccine from the dropdown as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

2. For the fields “Vaccine Dose 1 and/or 2 Date” – SELECT the date of your vaccination as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

3. For the fields “Vaccine Documentation” – UPLOAD your vaccination receipts for both doses. Or AT LEAST 1 receipt of the final dose administered to you, if you are fully vaccinated.

Option 1: You can click a photo of your receipt by choosing the “Photo” option.

NOTE: The App only supports jpeg or png format for photo upload.

*In case of Janssen, UPLOAD your receipt of the 1 dose only.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

OR
Option 2: You can upload a picture of your vaccination receipt from your Photo Gallery by choosing the “Gallery” option

NOTE: The App only supports jpeg or png format for photo upload.

*In case of Janssen, UPLOAD your receipt of the 1 dose only.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 9:
After filling in all the details and uploading your vaccination receipt/(s), CLICK on the check box beside the “I consent….” statement, and SELECT “SUBMIT”.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Step 10:
After submitting your vaccination details, your upload is now complete, and a confirmation screen will be shown with a “Thank you message” similar to the one shown in the image below.

After the submission:
Your vaccination attestation has been submitted to the McMaster Vaccine Validation Team. An approved or declined status will show on the Application Status page which can be accessed through the “View Vaccine Passport” option on the home screen as highlighted in the image. You may be contacted by the Vaccination Validation Team as part of a validation audit. If you have any questions, contact vacc@mcmaster.ca.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

OR
You can go back to the main menu by CLICKING on the “Return to menu” option.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

OR you can check your application status by CLICKING on “View Application Status” option.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

RESULTS:
If you made a submission for Partially Vaccinated you will receive a “Status Invalid” response on the App.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

If you made a submission for Fully Vaccinated, you will receive an approved vaccine passport with a QR code as shown in the image.

A screenshot of the McMaster Safety App

Please use the McMaster Safety App to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at least one hour before their first time attending a McMaster location.

In addition, all individuals must not attend a McMaster location if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are otherwise unable to successfully complete the provincial government’s COVID-19 self assessment.

Vaccination Mandate FAQs

Expandable List

Personal information will be secure and will be kept confidentially within the university with highly limited access. Aggregate data will be used to provide information on overall trends. 

Personal information will remain private and confidential. 

For validation purposes, only select staff in McMaster Human Resources and the McMaster Student Wellness Centre will be able to access your vaccination record, testing and exemption information. 

For employees, their supervisor will only receive information that confirms they are either ‘cleared’ or ‘not cleared’ to be on campus each day. Vaccine status information will not be available to supervisors directly.  

Individuals may be required to show their green checkmark of clearance to be on campus when they receive a service (i.e., advisor meeting, Student Wellness Centre appointment, using an Athletics and Recreation facility).   

Aggregate trends on vaccination and exemption rates may be reported. 

The decision was made by McMaster’s president and vice-presidents requiring anyone who comes to campus to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated.  The decision was informed by McMaster experts as well as the Delta variant, rising infection rates in the broader community, as well as the advice from Public Health that vaccinations are the best defence against COVID.  

This decision is in alignment with the Council of Ontario Universities who has called on the province to make vaccination mandatory at post-secondary institutions this fall. The Province of Ontario has since announced that a vaccination policy must be implemented in post-secondary education institutions by September 7th, 2021.   

Supports and assistance are available to everyone in the McMaster community and we encourage you to reach out with questions or for any help you may need.  

Human Resources Services and Student Accessibility Services will assist with accommodation questions, concerns and requests.  

Mental health supports are available for students  and employees  and additional assistance can be found through the Student Wellness Centre and the Employee Assistance Plan.  

The Equity and Inclusion Office also offers support for any member of the McMaster community.