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Dozens of eligible members of the New Orleans Pelicans received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez.
According to ESPN, most of the players on the team who were eligible received the kick, but not all players did. Among the players believed to have received the first dose was the guard Sindarius Thornwell, who publicly acknowledged his intention to receive the vaccine last Friday night on social media.
The team confirmed in a statement which members of the organization received the vaccine, although their statement does not specify the number of participants or whether 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, since large-scale vaccination in our community is the best way to keep everyone safe and end the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. the team in a statement to ESPN on Sunday.
On March 9, the state of Louisiana expanded COVID-19’s eligibility requirements to include people aged 18 or over – or 16 for the Pfizer vaccine – with a health condition that may result in an increased risk of illness for get the vaccine.
Anyone of legal age in Louisiana with conditions such as asthma, hypertension, type 1 diabetes, or overweight with a BMI above 25 can be eligible.
“The three COVID vaccines we have are safe and effective and all those qualified should get the injection as soon as possible,” said Christina Edwards, deputy chief of communications for the governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, in a statement to ESPN. “People, like members of the Pelicans, can consult their doctors about whether they can qualify because of their health conditions.”
“League policy requires teams to follow their states’ vaccination guidelines and programs and we fully support players and staff being vaccinated when they are eligible,” an NBA spokesman said in a statement.
At a press conference held before the Star Game, Commissioner Adam Silver said “no player I know has been vaccinated yet”, although he did say that some coaches and team members were vaccinated if they were eligible.
Silver also reiterated that the league has no plans to force players to be vaccinated.
“For any type of large-scale vaccination needed, this can only happen with the Players’ Association. As I said, we are only talking about educational efforts, ”said Silver.
Later, however, adding: “My guess is that most players will eventually choose to get vaccinated.”