COVID-19 Vaccine Program: FAQs for Students

The information below provides additional details about Red Deer Polytechnic's COVID-19 vaccination program. For additional information about COVID-19 vaccines or provincial health measures, visit the Government of Alberta website. 

Definitions 
Coming to Campus  
Vaccine Process Questions 
Background Information 

DEFINITIONS 

Continuing student: a student who was registered in at least one course in the Fall 2021 Term, or who has completed at least one apprenticeship technical period at Red Deer Polytechnic.   

Returning student: a student who has previously completed course work towards a program or apprenticeship technical period(s) at Red Deer Polytechnic.  

New student: a student who has never completed course work or apprenticeship technical period(s) at Red Deer Polytechnic.    

Current employee: an employee who has an existing employment contract at December 31, 2021 and will continue to be employed under the same employment contract beyond January 1, 2022. In the event an employment contract with an employee ends the individual would be subject to the vaccination requirements as outlined in the policy that takes effect January 1, 2022.  

New employee: an employee who will begin a new employment contract on or after January 1, 2022, regardless of whether the individual has previously worked within another employment contract for Red Deer Polytechnic.  

Fully vaccinated means those individuals who have:  

Partially vaccinated means those individuals who have proof of receiving at least one dose of a World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized for use by Health Canada and at least 14 have passed since the date on which the person received the first dose of vaccine. 

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COMING TO CAMPUS IN WINTER AND SPRING 2022 TERMS 

Do I need to be fully vaccinated to come to campus?   

For continuing and returning students, Red Deer Polytechnic requires one of the following to access our campuses and learning centres: 

  • Full vaccination, with proof provided through a Red Deer Polytechnic-approved QR code (see Vaccine Verification Using the RDC Safe App for details), 
  • Proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test, provided as per the personalized schedule each student will be provided in consultation with the Vaccination Program Office (see Rapid Testing for details), OR 
  • Proof of a Red Deer Polytechnic exemption (see Exemptions for details). 

For new students, Red Deer Polytechnic requires one of the following to access our campuses and learning centres: 

Please note that new students will not be permitted the rapid testing option, as described in Rapid Testing.

Visitors to campus can find full details about requirements at Vaccine Program. 

What if I am an online student? Do I still need to be vaccinated for COVID-19?  

For Winter and Spring 2022 Terms (January 1 to June 30, 2022), eligible online continuing, returning and new students, who are not fully vaccinated, may apply to Red Deer Polytechnic for an exemption to be excluded from the institution’s vaccination program. See Exemptions for details on steps that must be taken to apply.

Do I have to follow other safety measures like wearing masks?  

Yes. Effective September 4, 2021, the Government of Alberta has made masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces regardless of a person’s vaccination status.  

In addition to wearing a face covering, Red Deer Polytechnic has its own COVID-19 health and safety protocols which all on-campus visitors are required to follow. 

Do I need to continue to use the SAFE RDC app?   

The SAFE RDC app will still be used, but for a different purpose: 

  • Students and employees WILL need to complete the COVID-19 Contact Tracing and Daily Health Checklist on the SAFE RDC app. This is because of the other measures in place through Red Deer Polytechnic’s vaccine program. 
  • Students and employees WILL use the SAFE RDC app to upload their vaccine documents, Red Deer Polytechnic exemption or rapid test results, as described on the Vaccine Program webpage.  

Are there consequences if I do not adhere to the vaccination program?  

In the event a student submits a false or misleading declaration or confirms their status with a fraudulent immunization record or does not provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, disciplinary measures may be pursued under the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy for Red Deer Polytechnic.

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VACCINE PROCESS QUESTIONS 

If I previously tested positive for COVID-19 and I am choosing not to get vaccinated, my rapid test may continue to show that I am positive for COVID-19 for 90 days. What can I do?   

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are choosing to not receive a vaccination, you will need to complete the medical exemption request form.    

Please note that completing the exemption request form does not guarantee approval of the exemption.   

If I previously tested positive for COVID-19 and I received a recommendation to wait 90 days for my vaccination, what can I do?    

Alberta Health Services recommends that individuals can receive their COVID-19 vaccination once a person is symptom-free. If you do not wish to receive your vaccination within this 90-day window, you can apply for a medical exemption from Red Deer Polytechnic.  

Please note that completing the exemption request form does not guarantee approval of the exemption.  

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

Why is Red Deer Polytechnic implementing a vaccination requirement program?  

Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to protecting the health and safety of its students, staff, faculty and broader community while on its campuses. As a public, post-secondary institution, Red Deer Polytechnic will continue to adhere to current public health measures, including a separate (and sector-specific) exemption program for post-secondary institutions identified by the Government of Alberta, as we all do our part to protect one another during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

COVID-19 vaccines play an important role in helping to protect our community and bringing the pandemic to an end. Requiring members of the Red Deer Polytechnic community to provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests helps work towards the safest possible working and learning environment for everyone.  

Please review Red Deer Polytechnic's COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Is my vaccine information confidential?    

All personal information provided is confidential and will not be shared except as strictly required to enforce the policy. The requirement to provide proof of immunization, report vaccination status or provide proof of a negative rapid test is one measure Red Deer Polytechnic is taking in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of our community. 

In accordance with Red Deer Polytechnic’s Information Access & Privacy Policy, your personal information will be kept confidential, and only used for the purpose(s) for which it was collected or authorized, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act of Alberta. 

If you have questions about the collection or use of your personal information, please contact Red Deer Polytechnic's Access & Privacy Coordinator by privacy [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (email). 

If a student receives the COVID-19 vaccine, will Red Deer Polytechnic be held liable for making them get the vaccine if they have adverse effects or die? Many workplaces are offering WCB to employees who are being required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  

WCB Student Coverage identifies those students who are registered in and attending an academic program at a post-secondary institution, including Red Deer Polytechnic, are considered workers of the Government of Alberta. Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta provides resources about WCB and COVID-19 on their website.

Vaccination Program and Alberta Human Rights 
For information for information related to COVID-19 and Human Rights, please refer to the Alberta Human Rights Commission website.  

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Red Deer Polytechnic has a duty to help keep its students, faculty, staff, and visitors safe while on its campuses. Red Deer Polytechnic is following COVID-19 recommendations from the Government of Alberta. Other post-secondary institutions in Alberta are also implementing a vaccination plan for on-campus students, faculty, staff, and visitors.   

Red Deer Polytechnic acknowledges that, in limited circumstances and in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Act, exemptions may be provided to the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Learn more about Red Deer Polytechnic exemptions. 

How can Red Deer Polytechnic request a person to provide their vaccination status? This is private and confidential medical information. 

Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [Section 33(c)] permits public organizations, such as Red Deer Polytechnic, to collect personal information from individuals when that information is directly related to, and necessary for operating a program within the organization. 

In this context, Red Deer Polytechnic is permitted to collect proof of vaccination for use only in identifying an individual’s compliance with the institution’s vaccination program. 

What if I have additional questions? 

Students who have additional questions can email vaccinationprogram [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca.

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