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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 players on the team who were eligible received the shot, but not all players did. Among the players believed to have received the first dose was guard Sindarius Thornwell, who publicly acknowledged his intention to receive the vaccine this past Friday night on social media.
The team has confirmed in a statement that members of the organization received the vaccine, although their statement did not specify the number of participants or specify whether it was players, coaches, or other members of the organization who received the vaccine.
“Pelicans support the state’s vital efforts to encourage everyone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as large-scale vaccination in our community is the best way to keep everyone safe and end the COVID pandemic -19, ”the team said. statement to ESPN Sunday.
On March 9, the state of Louisiana expanded the eligibility requirements for COVID-19 to include people 18 years of age or older (or 16 years of age for the Pfizer vaccine) with a health condition that may lead to a increased risk of getting the vaccine. .
Anyone of legal age in Louisiana with conditions such as asthma, hypertension, type 1 diabetes or who is defined as overweight with a BMI above 25 may be eligible.
“The three COVID vaccines we have are safe and effective and everyone who meets the requirements should receive the shot as soon as possible,” Christina Edwards, deputy director of communications for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, said in a statement. on ESPN. “People, like members of the Pelicans, can consult with their doctors if they can qualify for their health conditions.”
“League policy requires teams to follow their state’s immunization guidelines and programs and we fully support the vaccination of players and team personnel when they are eligible,” an NBA spokesman said in a statement. communiqué.
At a press conference held before the All-Star Game, Commissioner Adam Silver said that “there is no player I know of who has been vaccinated yet,” although he said some coaches and staff at the team had been vaccinated if they were eligible.
Silver also reiterated that the league has no plans to force players to get vaccinated.
“For any kind of vaccination needed on a large scale, that can only happen with the Players Association. Like I said, we’ve only talked about educational efforts,” Silver said.
Later, however, he adds: “My intention is that most players will decide to get vaccinated.”