NBA Commissioner AdamSilver issued a memo to all the teams of the NBA informing them that they will need to properly comply with all FDA protocols before administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The head of the league warned teams to not issue the vaccine early to players or staff unless properly notified to do so.
The NBA have been informed by Pfizer and Modern that the new vaccines are safe and effective. The NBA will allow for teams to give the vaccine to older employees, and personnelwith health – related issues. This comes after AdamSilver told reporters the league will not “jump the line” before administering the vaccine.
Silver continued by stating: “We will wait our turn to get the vaccine. When you think about the logistical feat that now the federal and state governments are undertaking, where if every citizen ultimately requires two doses and with a population of over 300 million, it’s beyond comprehension when you start to begin to think about the logistical challenges of transporting and distributing this vaccine.”
When will the NBA administer the COVID-19 Vaccine to their players?
The NBA will work with their players association in the next few weeks and months to promote campaigns and educate the public on the vaccines and how safe they are. Nonetheless the NBA will not force their players to take the vaccine if they do not want to.
The NBA has started their season and were forced to postpone one game so far, the Houston Rockets vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, due to James Harden breaking protocol and going to a club without a mask. The player was fined $50,000 for his actions as the NBA cracks down on possible transmission of the virus.