The Premier League has finally released its latest vaccination rates among players, with 16 per cent of top-flight stars still yet to take any dose of Covid vaccine.
A host of teams across England’s top division have been hit by Covid outbreaks, resulting in 10 games being postponed in recent weeks as club’s battle to reduce transmission in the dressing room.
On Monday, the Premier League announced that a ‘festive firebreak’ would not be imposed to help combat the spread of the Omicron variant, with officials continuing to monitor the situation closely.
And in an official statement, the top-flight confirmed that 84 per cent of players are ‘on the vaccination journey’ – meaning they have had at least one dose of the vaccine. That figure indicates that 16 per cent of stars are still yet to receive their first dosage.
In total, 92 per cent of players and staff have received one, two or three doses, yet these figures pale in comparison to those shared by top leagues across Europe. Germany’s Bundesliga have revealed that 94 per cent of players and staff are vaccinated, while Italy’s Serie A’s vaccination rate is 98 per cent.
16 per cent of players in the Premier League are unvaccinated, new figures have shown
The Premier League figures are in contrast to the Bundesliga, where six per cent of players are unvaccinated, and Serie A, where two per cent of players are unvaccinated
The Premier League has come under fire for its reluctance to release the vaccination rates of its players. The most recent figure before today’s announcement was revealed in October, where 68 per cent of stars had been double vaccinated.
The NHS vaccination rate for a single dose in England for 25-29 year olds is 78.5%, with the average age of a Premier League player being 26.9.
77 per cent of Premier League players have received two doses of Covid vaccines and are classed as fully vaccinated.
In a bid to allow for greater transparency, the Premier League said that from January they will publish vaccination results at the end of each month.
A statement from the Premier League read: ‘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.
77 per cent of Premier League players have received two doses of Covid vaccines and are classed as fully vaccinated
The Premier League will now publish figures at the end of each month regarding vaccinations
The NHS vaccination rate for a single dose in England for 25-29 year olds is 78.5%, with the average age of a Premier League player being 26.9
The Premier League revealed that 92 per cent of players and club staff have received one, two or three COVID-19 vaccination doses
Following a meeting the Premier League elected to continue playing games during the festive period
‘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.’
Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, who has had both vaccinations and a booster, urged players to get vaccinated
Following a meeting on Monday the league rejected the option of calling off a round of fixtures over the festive period despite increasing concerns regarding the Omicron variant.
The Premier League fixtures last weekend were heavily disrupted by Covid-19 cases, with only match out of six, Leeds v Arsenal, taking place on Saturday. On Sunday three further matches were played, but Liverpool were missing players such as Thiago, Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk due to Covid-19, while Chelsea could only name six players on their bench out of a possible nine, with two of them being goalkeepers.
Data released at the end of September, which showed that at that time there were only seven clubs in the Premier League where more than 50 per cent of players were fully vaccinated.
England and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham urged fellow players to be vaccinated.
Bellingham revealed that he has had both of his Covid vaccinations and a booster.
Speaking at the Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony, Bellingham said: ‘Footballers have a platform in society.
‘It is a personal choice for me. I have had both the jabs and a booster, just to be safe. I don’t want to be passing anything to my family or be missing games myself.
‘If people choose to get it, then they should get it. If they don’t, they should have a look at reasons why. It is not for me to sit here and say everyone has to get vaccinated but I want everyone to be safe so I would probably advise them to get it.
Last week Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called on players to get the jab
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp suggested clubs will be reluctant to sign unvaccinated players
‘I am out in Germany and it is going quite well. We have fans starting to come back into stadiums a bit slower than England but vaccine rates for players are a lot higher.
‘That may be one thing they need to look at and also the fans, making sure they can go to the games safely is the most important thing.’
Last week Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called on players to get the jab.
As reported by The Athletic, he wrote to clubs: ‘We have collectively highlighted the importance of vaccination and it has never been more important.
‘This is not only for the obvious benefit of protecting against COVID, but government guidance now dictates that unvaccinated close contacts of positive COVID cases must isolate for 10 days, and there is no exemption or exception to this.
‘Please strongly encourage those who are not fully vaccinated to become so, and the many who are, to get their booster, which appears to be the only significant layer of protection against the Omicron variant.’
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that the club will not sign unvaccinated players.
He said: ‘I think it (being vaccinated) will be influential, definitely, in who clubs sign.
‘If a player is not vaccinated at all, he is a constant threat for all of us.
‘He doesn’t want to be a threat, it’s not that he thinks ‘I don’t care about the others’ but he is.’