As Queen’s looks forward to returning to many campus activities in September, it is encouraging all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated. To support this effort, the university is taking part in Faster Together, a cross-Canada social media campaign that encourages people in all age groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Faster Together is a cross-sector collaborative project led and developed by Spark Advocacy, Abacus Data and the Canadian Labour Congress. The social media campaign is built around the message that high rates of vaccination is the key to helping society recover from the pandemic. It launched in early June with more than a hundred partners from across the country, including Queen’s, Universities Canada and 16 other universities, and the list keeps growing.

“The sooner people are vaccinated, the sooner we will be able to bring the Queen’s community back together to take part in all of the activities that make up the university experience,” says Vice-Principal (University Relations) Michael Fraser. “We hope that by participating in this social campaign we can reach members of our community, especially students, and encourage them to seek out a vaccine this summer.”

Queen’s has worked with Faster Together to develop customized materials that show events like convocation ceremonies and everyday pre-pandemic activities like in-person classes. University Relations will be working with the Division of Student Affairs, the Alma Mater Society, and the Society of Graduate and Professional Students to create Queen’s campaign materials throughout the summer.

“As we are planning to resume in-person academics and activities in the fall, it is especially important for students to get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity to do so,” says Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney. “That’s the most important thing they can do to help keep their peers and the community safe.”

Queen’s is working with KFL&A Public Health on a comprehensive vaccination strategy. While the university expects many students will be fully vaccinated by the end of August, it will ensure access to vaccines if students arrive before they are able to get their second dose. This will include an on-campus vaccination clinic for students. Details on the strategy will be posted to the COVID-19 information website as they become available.

Learn more about Faster Together on the campaign website.