PhD Candidate Renounces Studies in Protest of Western University’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

A student walks toward the Western University campus in London, Ont., on Sept. 15, 2021. Nicole Osborne/The Canadian Press

Jason Falbo said he has made the difficult decision to withdraw from his doctorate program at Western University following nearly seven years of study after the university announced a COVID-19 vaccine policy that mandates three shots for all staff and students.

The London, Ontario, university released its latest COVID-19 vaccine policy on Aug. 22, requiring all individuals who come on campus to have received a complete primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine as well as a booster dose by Oct. 1, 2022. A primary series typically means two doses of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine. The policy is set to remain in place until Aug. 22, 2023.