The NBA warned the 30 teams in the league on Thursday that they are prohibited from seeking and administering newly approved coronavirus vaccines to members of each organization, including players, before public health guidelines are known to prioritize their use.
The internal statement sent by the NBA to the teams reiterates what commissioner Adam Silver had already stated at the beginning of the week, who stressed that his organization was not going to seek any “privilege” or skip the rules that must be followed by all of society American.
“It goes without saying that we are in no way skipping the line,” Silver said in a conference call with reporters Monday. “We will wait our turn to get the vaccine,” he added.
Silver was categorical in praising all the work that the federal and state governments are doing to ensure that as soon as possible the majority of the 300 million inhabitants of the country can obtain the double dose of vaccine that they need.
“His mission is enormous and our organization will always be on his side in the most positive way that we can collaborate with his mission,” said Silver.
By informing teams that medical experts advising the NBA agree with the FDA that the new vaccines Pfizer and Moderna for the coronavirus are “safe and effective,” the NBA also reminded teams that the league will work to vaccinate its players and staff “in accordance with the time and priority established by applicable public health guidelines.”
The NBA is allowing exceptions for team physicians and health-related personnel and older staff members or those with conditions that pose a higher risk of complications from contracting the coronavirus, as is already the case in other organizations.
The NBA plans to work with the players’ union in the coming weeks and months on campaigns to educate the public about vaccine safety, just as they did during the past elections with the civic-political movement to promote the importance of enforcing the citizen vote.
