UHN's mandatory vaccination policy came into effect on October 22, 2021.
Download the vaccine policy info sheet
Looking for vaccination resources? Please visit our
COVID-19 Vaccine site.
Why has UHN implemented COVID-19 vaccination requirements for visitors?
As a hospital, it is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect our patients, staff and community. We know that vaccinations are key in helping stop the spread of COVID-19. For that reason, UHN requires that everyone coming to our sites is fully vaccinated. Note – this policy does not apply to patients.
What is the definition of "fully vaccinated?"
To be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received the full series of a COVID- 19 vaccine or combination of COVID-19 vaccines, that are
authorized by Health Canada. This means you must have two doses of a two-dose vaccine series, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine series. Your final dose must have been at least 14 days ago.
Vaccines approved by Health Canada include Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.
If I'm fully vaccinated, do I still need to follow other public health protocols while at UHN?
Yes – all our existing policies and protocols still apply. All visitors must pass the entrance screening, and continue to mask and practice physical distancing and hand hygiene while inside UHN spaces.
Are there exceptions for ECPs who are not fully vaccinated?
Some exceptions will be made in emergency situations, or on compassionate or human rights grounds. Speak with the patient's care team about exceptions. Pre-approval for an unvaccinated ECP will be needed by the
unit or
clinic manager, except in an emergency situation.
If an exception is approved, a negative COVID-19 test result will be needed. This can be a rapid antigen test result done on the day of the visit, or a PCR test done within the last 48 hours. A photo can be shown to the manager.
Learn more about
COVID-19 testing locations and
COVID vaccines in Ontario.
Conditions Managers Consider for Visitor Vaccine Exceptions
- Patients who are near end-of-life.
- Patients who are under 18.
- Patients who may be receiving a life-altering diagnosis, are experiencing a mental health crisis, or who have a significant development or intellectual delay.
- Patients requiring a support person to safely attend their appointment. For example, due to dementia, significant developmental or intellectual delay, inability to effectively communicate, or mobility issues that cannot supported by the healthcare team.
- An ECP who has applied for an exemption based on medical or other human rights grounds, and has been approved by the UHN Vaccine Exemption Panel.
I'm assisting someone to the Emergency Department, but I'm not fully vaccinated. What can I do?
If you pass symptom and risk factor screening, you can help the patient to the triage area. You will not be allowed to enter the Emergency Department or wait with them, unless approved for an exception.
If approved, you must do a rapid antigen self-test and receive a negative result to enter.
Can I visit a Toronto Rehab patient outdoors, if I'm not fully vaccinated?
Although full vaccination is not required for outdoor visits, we strongly recommend choosing visitors who are vaccinated. If visitors need to go inside the hospital at any time during the visit, such as to pick up a patient or use the washroom, they will need to be vaccinated if over 12 years old.
Whether you are going indoors or not, you will need to pass hospital COVID-19 screening and wear a medical mask.
Who can I speak to if I disagree with a decision for my situation?
For the safety of other patients, visitors and our staff, our clinic and unit managers must follow UHN policies on who can be allowed to enter UHN during the pandemic. They are only able to permit Essential Care Partners for patients or situations that fit within the current safety criteria.
If you are declined approval by the unit/clinic manager, but feel that you should be eligible, you can contact UHN Patient Relations at 416 340 4907 or
patientrelations@uhn.ca.
While an exception may not be possible, the Patient Relations team will help work with you to understand if there is information that the team was not aware of when making their decision.