More than two-thirds of Premier League footballers have been fully vaccinated against Covid and Leeds United’s Rodrigo backed its importance after taking two jabs himself. One of the major talking points in professional sport around the pandemic has been the decision to get vaccinated or not. The Whites are reportedly one of the clubs in the top flight with the highest vaccination rates among their squad. For the first time this week, the Premier League published official figures around how many players had been single or double-jabbed.
Premier League statement said: “The Premier League can confirm today (October 19) 81 per cent of players have received at least one Covid-19 vaccination dose with 68 per cent now fully vaccinated. Vaccination rates are collected by the Premier League on a weekly basis and the league continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff. No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the league and player vaccination rates will be communicated at appropriate intervals in the future.”
Rodrigo was among the first Leeds players to be ruled out of a game last season because of Covid. He knows how it feels to have the virus and has spoken out on it. Rodrigo was asked for his opinion on vaccinations during the most recent international break and how important he feels it is to keep the world moving through a pandemic. However, the Spain international was keen to stress it was an individual’s choice on the matter and equally important everyone has the freedom to make up their own mind.
Rodrigo said: “It’s a difficult topic. It’s true people have to have the freedom to choose if they want to be vaccinated or not. In my opinion, the vaccination is very important. I took the two doses of the vaccine. My family and my friends [too]. It’s really important to be vaccinated against Covid. It helps everyone to keep moving, help the world to keep moving. That’s just my opinion. People have to do what they think about it, what they think is correct, but in my opinion, it’s very, very important to be vaccinated.”
