Sixteen per cent of Premier League players are yet to be vaccinated.
Gatekeepers News reports that Premier League in its latest vaccination rates among players shows that 16 per cent of top-flight stars are yet to take any dose of the COVID vaccine.
Gatekeepers News earlier reported that the Premier League confirmed 90 new COVID-19 cases in its latest round of testing, with a record 12,345 tests carried out by top-flight players and staff as Omicron continues to wreak havoc with the football calendar.
This has resulted in the postponement of 10 games in recent weeks as the clubs battle to reduce transmission in the dressing room.
Premier League earlier 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.
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, indicating that 16 per cent of stars are still yet to receive their first dosage.
The reluctance of the Premier League to release the vaccination rates of its players has brought it under fire. 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.
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.
“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.”
