Update: The Blazers issued a correction and say 13 players received the vaccine instead of 12.
Thirteen Portland Trail Blazers players received their first dose of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, the team announced.
The players were able to obtain the vaccine from the Confederate Tribes of Grand Ronde, which had an excess of vaccine, and began offering it to the general public in February.
“The Trail Blazers organization and players thank the Grand Ronde Confederate Tribes for making these vaccines available to the general public,” the team said in a statement.
Blazers encouraged fans to get the vaccine and said they would continue to use their platform to raise awareness about vaccination.
“Our organization and players encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said the team. “As vaccination efforts continue to increase, we will continue to use our platform through public service announcements (PSA) and other messages to raise awareness about the safety, effectiveness and importance of vaccination so that our state and communities can get out. of this terrible pandemic as soon as possible. “
Blazers big guy Jusuf Nurkic tweeted that he got the vaccine today.
Portland is one of three NBA teams that announced vaccines. Fourteen Atlanta Hawks players were vaccinated last week, and dozens of eligible members of the New Orleans Pelicans received their first dose on March 13.
– Aron Yohannes