The NBA delivered a warning to teams on Thursday that franchises are prohibited from seeking and administering newly launched coronavirus vaccines on a team basis prior to public health guidelines for prioritization, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.
In informing the teams that the medical experts advising the NBA are in agreement with the FDA that the new Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines are “safe and effective”, the NBA told the teams that the league will work to vaccinate its players and teams “according to the time and prioritization defined by the applicable public health guidelines,” said the memo.
The NBA is allowing exceptions for team doctors and health personnel and older team members or those with conditions that are at increased risk of complications from contracting the coronavirus, the memo said.
The memo came on the heels of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, recently telling reporters on a conference call that the NBA would not “skip the line” when it came to the vaccine.
“Needless to say, we are in no way going to exceed the limits,” Silver said in a conference call with reporters on Monday. “We will wait for our turn to get the vaccine. When you think about the logistical feat that the federal and state governments are now undertaking, where if each citizen ultimately needs two doses and a population of more than 300 million, it is incomprehensible when you start thinking about the logistical challenges of transporting and distribute that vaccine. “
The NBA plans to work with the National Basketball Players Association in the coming weeks and months on campaigns to educate the public about vaccine safety, the memo said.