© Derick E. Hingle-SUA TODAY Sports
Dozens of eligible New Orleans Pelican members received their first dose of COVID-19 on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez.
According to ESPN, most of the players on the team who were eligible received the blow, but not all players received it. Among the players believed to receive the first dose was goalkeeper Sindarius Thornwell, who publicly acknowledged his intention to receive the vaccine last Friday night on social media.
The team confirmed in a statement that the members of the organization received the vaccine, although his statement did not specify the number of participants and did not specify whether the players, coaches or other members of the organization received the vaccine.
“Pelicans support the state’s vital efforts to encourage everyone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, because widespread vaccination in our community is the best way to keep everyone safe and end the COVID-19 pandemic.” , the team said in a statement to ESPN on Sunday.
On March 9, the state of Louisiana extended COVID-19 eligibility requirements to include people 18 years of age or older – or 16 years of age for the Pfizer vaccine – with a health condition that could lead to an increased risk of disease. to receive the vaccine. .
Anyone aged in Louisiana with conditions such as asthma, hypertension, type 1 diabetes or who is defined as overweight with a BMI over 25 may be eligible.
“The three COVID vaccines we have are safe and effective, and everyone who qualifies should get the fire as soon as possible,” said Christina Edwards, deputy chief of communications for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. -a statement to ESPN. “People, like pelican members, can consult with their doctors in order to qualify because of their health conditions.”
“The league’s policy requires teams to follow their state’s immunization guidelines and programs, and we fully agree with vaccinating players and team personnel when they are eligible,” an NBA spokesman said in a statement.
At a news conference before the All-Star Game, Commissioner Adam Silver said that “there is no player I know who has been vaccinated yet,” although he said some coaches and team staff were vaccinated if they were eligible.
Silver also reiterated that the league has no plans to mandate players to get vaccinated.
“For any kind of widespread vaccination to take place, this can only happen with the Players’ Association. As I said, we were just talking about educational efforts,” Silver said.
Later, however, he added, “My premonition is that most players will eventually choose to get vaccinated.”