Exemptions

St. Thomas University will consider COVID-19 vaccination exemption requests from individuals presenting a medical or religious reason.

Exemption for COVID-19 Vaccination (Medical)

New Brunswick Public Health have provided Physicians and Nurse Practitioners with the criteria for medical exemptions.

Process for Accessing a Medical Exemption

1. The individual contacts their Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
   
   
2. If the individual meets the requirements, then Physician or Nurse Practitioner completes and signs a Medical Certificate of Exemption.
   
   
3. The individual provides a copy of the Medical Certificate of Exemption to the University via the STUSafe Vaccine Declaration Tool as part of the process of requesting a medical exemption.
   
   
4. The individual will receive an email notice from the University of whether their documentation was confirmed.

The University will maintain a list of individuals who have shown a medical exemption certificate.

Requirements if Exemption is Confirmed by the University

• The individual must complete Point of Care Testing (POCT) twice (2) per week (recommend Mondays and Thursdays), and
• The individual must wear a mask, consistent with the University’s Mask Policy (this Policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the campus).

Positive Results/COVID-19 Symptoms

Individuals who obtain a positive POCT test result or have two or more COVID-19 symptoms must immediately register for a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and not attend the workplace/campus until they receive a negative result.

This website provides information regarding symptoms and how to register for a PCR test.

If an individual has a positive test result from PCR, they must follow direction from Public Health and not attend the workplace/campus until cleared by Public Health.

Exemption for COVID-19 Vaccination (Religious Belief)

Process for Accessing a Religious Belief Exemption

1. The individual contacts their Religious Leader.
   
   
2. The Religious Leader provides a letter certifying that, due to a religious belief, the named individual should be exempted from the requirements of mandatory vaccination to attend the campus of St. Thomas University. The letter should include a description of the religious beliefs that preclude the named individual from being vaccinated. The letter should include the mailing address and telephone number of the Religious Leader.
   
   
3. The individual provides a copy of this letter to the University via the STUSafe Vaccine Declaration Tool as part of the process of requesting an exemption.
   
   
4. The University may contact the Religious Leader to obtain more information.
   
   
5. The individual will receive an email notice from the University of whether their documentation was confirmed.
   
   
6. The University will maintain a list of individuals where a religious exemption was approved.

Requirements if Exemption is Confirmed by the University

• The individual must complete Point of Care Testing (POCT) twice (2) per week (recommend Mondays and Thursdays), and
  
  
• The individual must wear a mask, consistent with the University’s Mask Policy (this Policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the campus).

Positive Results/COVID-19 Symptoms

Individuals who obtain a positive POCT test result or have two or more COVID-19 symptoms must immediately register for a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and not attend the workplace/campus until they receive a negative result.

This website provides information regarding symptoms and how to register for a PCR test.

If an individual has a positive test result from PCR, they must follow direction from Public Health and not attend the workplace/campus until cleared by Public Health.