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According to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, dozens of eligible members of the New Orleans Pelicans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to ESPN, the majority of eligible players on the team received the shot, but not every player. Among the players believed to be given the first dose was security guard Sindarius Thornwell, who publicly acknowledged his intention to receive the vaccine on social media last Friday night.
The team confirmed in a statement that members of the organization received the vaccine, although the statement did not specify the number of participants or whether it was players, coaches or other members of the organization who received the vaccine.
“The pelicans are supporting the vital efforts of the state to encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine as large-scale vaccination of 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 its COVID-19 admission requirements to people 18 or older – or 16 years old for the Pfizer vaccine – with a health condition that could result in a higher risk of illness to receive the vaccine.
Anyone in Louisiana with conditions such as asthma, hypertension, type 1 diabetes or overweight and a BMI over 25 is eligible.
“The three COVID vaccines we have are safe and effective and everyone eligible should get an injection as soon as possible,” Christina Edwards, deputy chief of staff for communications for Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, said in a statement. statement to ESPN. “People, like members of the Pelicans, can consult with their doctors about their eligibility because of their health concerns.”
“League policy requires teams to follow their state’s vaccination guidelines and programs, and we fully support that players and team personnel are vaccinated when they are eligible,” an NBA spokesperson said in a statement.
In a press conference prior to the All-Star Game, Commissioner Adam Silver said there was “not a single player I know has been vaccinated yet,” although he did say that some coaches and team personnel were vaccinated if they were eligible. .
Silver also reiterated that the league has no plans to require players to get vaccinated.
“For any kind of large-scale, required vaccinations, that can only happen with the Players Association. Like I said, we’ve only talked about educational efforts,” said Silver.
But later he added, “My guess is that most players will eventually choose to get vaccinated.”