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Premier League reveals just 77% of players are double jabbed

The Premier League say that only 77 per cent of its players have been double jabbed against coron...



The Premier League say that only 77 per cent of its players have been double jabbed against coronavirus. 

The figure marks just a 9 per cent increase on figures published by The Athletic in October.

A 'circuit-break' was ruled out at an emergency meeting of club bosses on Monday, despite COVID-19 infections wreaking havoc with the Premier League fixture list.

Of the past weekend's ten scheduled matches, only four survived. With that, Chelsea had an application to have their game at Wolves postponed dismissed by the Premier League.

To alleviate fixture congestion with so many rearranged matches down the track, the English FA announced on Monday that replays in the FA Cup 3rd and 4th rounds will be scrapped this season.

The Premier League has one of the lowest rates of player vaccination among Europe's top leagues.

By comparison, 98 per cent of Serie A players are double vaccinated, 95 per cent in France's Ligue 1, 95 per cent in the Bundesliga, and 90 per cent in La Liga.

One of those Bundesliga players - Jude Bellingham - has urged his fellow professionals to get vaccinated, saying they "have a platform in society".

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder told the BBC, "I've had both jabs and the booster, just to be safe. I don't want to be passing anything on to my family and be having to miss games myself.

"It's not for me to sit here and say everyone has to get vaccinated, it is personal choice... obviously I want everyone to be safe, so I'd probably advise them to get it."

The Premier League said on Monday that 84 per cent of players were on, what they described as, "the vaccination journey".

In a statement, they revealed that player vaccination rates will be made public every month - starting from January.

Premier League statement: 

It was confirmed at a Premier League club meeting today that while recognising a number of clubs are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and challenges, it is the League’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible.

The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority and the League will continue to monitor and reflect public health guidance, always proceeding with caution.

A range of issues were discussed at this afternoon’s meeting, including the adaption of the Premier League COVID-19 postponement process in response to the impact of the Omicron variant.

The League also confirmed to its clubs today that 92 per cent of players and club staff have received one, two or three COVID-19 vaccination doses, with 84 per cent of players on the vaccination journey.

Players who have had one or two doses are required to wait for the appropriate time period before receiving either their second or booster vaccinations.

The League continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff, as well as promoting the Government’s public-health vaccination messaging to clubs and the wider public.

No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League, and player vaccination rates will now be publicly communicated at the end of each month, beginning in January.

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