Premier League: Low vaccination numbers leading to outbreak

Premier League: COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across the English Premier League with multiple clubs battling outbreaks and already half of the weekend fixtures have had to be postponed. Despite the mounting cases, quite a few football stars are refusing to get jabbed for one reason or the other, something which is causing consternation among club doctors across the board. Follow Premier League live updates on InsideSport.IN

Also read: Premier League: Club managers & captains to meet over COVID-19 crisis to find way forward, check details

According to reports, one in every four English Football League players do not want to be vaccinated, while the Premier League revealed back in October that only 68 per cent of players had been double-vaccinated, a worrying number. This low vaccination number is one of the main reasons COVID-19 cases are spreading like wildfire.

Premier League: From being vegan to infertility fears, maximum players hesitate to get jabbed, check reasons

Clubs have offered booster jabs to all players with the Omicron strain causing cases to shoot up across the country, but they cannot force players to accept it, nor take the first two jabs.

The UK’s top sports cardiologist Professor Sanjay Sharma warned this week that the Premier League would ‘crash’ if players aren’t fully vaccinated.

NEWS | Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has written to all top-flight clubs stressing the importance of vaccination for footballers and the need to finish the season.

More from @AdamCrafton_ https://t.co/3ExICjDQhr

— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) December 17, 2021

Among the silliest of reasons to not get jabbed include being vegan or fearing infertility.

Some people choose not to be vaccinated, citing a number of factors, including their lack of confidence in the vaccine, concerns about side effects, or a fear of needles.

Others – a minority – opt out of vaccination because of their consumption of misinformation and conspiracy theories online, particularly on social media.

Premier League: From being vegan to infertility fears, maximum players hesitate to get jabbed, check reasons

Vegan stars are refusing to be vaccinated against Covid as his family’s beliefs are the reason he has refrained from being jabbed.

Some vegans have also decided not to be vaccinated on ethical grounds, as animal testing is a legal requirement in the UK in the development of vaccines.

Other players have said they are concerned about the vaccine affecting their fertility. A London club have also found that a section of their Christian players say they don’t trust the jab, despite being supplied with evidence to reassure them.

“I follow the advice of smart, educated people who know their field because they’ve dedicated their lives to it and have studied it. I received my booster jab as soon as I was eligible”@LFC’s Jurgen Klopp urges fans to get their booster vaccination

➡️ https://t.co/CFYvNwl7SJ pic.twitter.com/wTLuQOlL0f

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2021

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has asked clubs to “strongly encourage” players to get vaccinated. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has also spoken up regarding vaccination.

Premier League: From being vegan to infertility fears, maximum players hesitate to get jabbed, check reasons

Other European leagues are better placed?

Serie A: 98% of its players have been double jabbed.

Ligue 1: 95% of players have been double vaccinated and there are a low number of positive cases

Bundesliga: 94% of players have been double vaccinated.

La Liga: More than 90% of players have been double vaccinated and stadiums are still allowed at full capacity.

Premier League: From being vegan to infertility fears, maximum players hesitate to get jabbed, check reasons

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