EFL: A quarter of players not intending to get Covid-19 vaccine as more games postponed

Gillingham's Priestfield StadiumRex Features

League One Gillingham have been forced to close their Priestfield Stadium to the public because of Covid-19 cases among club staff

The English Football League says a quarter of players at its member clubs "do not intend to get a vaccine" against Covid-19.

And as of last month 31% of players had not received a first dose.

The EFL revealed the figures as it introduced tighter protocols at first-team training grounds and enforced more regular testing.

It comes as 19 fixtures that were due to be played across all three divisions on Saturday have been postponed.

Updated guidance on the minimum number of available players required to fulfil a fixture has also been passed on.

Clubs will be expected to play a fixture where they have 14 players, including a goalkeeper, available from their registered squad list.

Vaccine data collected by the EFL in November showed 75% of players were either fully vaccinated, had had a single jab or intended to be vaccinated.

Double-vaccinated players totalled 59%, with 10% having had a single dose at the time, while 6% were set to get a first jab.

However, 25% of players said they "currently do not intend to get a vaccine".

Unvaccinated players deemed a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus must self-isolate for 10 days under the legal requirements set out by the UK government.

In September, 49% of players in the EFL were double vaccinated, which was up from 18% the previous month.

In comparison, as of October, 81% of Premier League players had had at least one jab, while 68% had been given two doses.

Across England the vaccination rate for under 40s is below 75%.

The EFL's medical adviser, Dr Richard Higgins stressed they are continuing to "strongly encourage players and staff at clubs to get fully vaccinated and obtain a booster jab if eligible to do so".

He added: "We know getting double jabbed and boosted now will reduce the risk of getting seriously ill or dying from Covid-19, reduce the risk of catching or spreading Covid-19 amongst team-mates and loved ones, while helping protect against variants including Omicron."

As fixture postponements have increased over the past week, the EFL has also confirmed all 72 clubs will need to implement their set of 'red' protocols in a bid to mitigate the spread of infection in first-team training facilities.

Those protocols will come into effect from Saturday.

What are some of the red list protocols?

The EFL had issued guidance in July around two 'green' and 'red' protocols. Clubs have been following 'green' protocols of daily screening for symptoms, with stricter 'red' protocols, including testing, only triggered by any local outbreaks or further restrictions imposed by the government - as has happened in recent days. 'Red' protocols include:

  • Attendance at first-team training grounds to be limited only to players and essential staff.

  • Daily lateral flow testing for all first-team players and staff, subject to supply chain availability.

  • PCR tests to be taken by any player or member of staff who displays Covid-19 symptoms or has received a positive lateral flow test.

  • All players and staff (with the exception of medical staff providing treatment) to maintain physical distancing at all times when not in training.

  • No player or staff member to be within 2m of another player or staff member for 15 minutes or more.

  • Face coverings to be worn at all times in indoor training spaces.

  • Closure of poorly-ventilated gym spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.

  • Staggered use of club kitchen and dining facilities with minimal staffing numbers.

  • No media attendance at training grounds, with all pre-match conferences to be held virtually.

October 2021: Premier League vaccination rates 'a massive leap forward' - Professor Van-Tam

Why are some players not getting vaccinated?

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor told BBC Sport he would not be influencing any of his players to get vaccinated, stressing it was "their decision".

"From my discussions with players who haven't had the vaccine, there's a lot of influences, and they're understandable," Taylor said.

"Whether it be things in terms of enlarged organs, heart problems, respiratory problems, possible fertility issues, they've got a whole host of questions which come up and often remain unanswered.

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Matt Taylor says he will not try and influence any of his Exeter City's players' decisions over vaccinations

"Sometimes people think it's a straightforward decision as to whether you do or don't get the vaccine. But it's not as easy a decision because everyone's circumstances are totally different.

"I've tried to educate the players as best I possibly can, I don't hide away from the fact I'm vaccinated and am encouraging my staff and players to be vaccinated.

"But it's personal preference and there's a moral compass here in terms of what players are allowed to choose and what they're not allowed to choose.

"We can't think any more or any less of any players who decide either way, all we can do is make sure our environment is as safe as we possibly we can."

Derby boss Wayne Rooney added: "It's a difficult situation because everyone has their own opinions on it.

"I've had the vaccinations but some players, some staff, might have their own personal opinions on it," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"I'd personally encourage it, we can see what's happening in terms of needing vaccinations to get into places, but also to stop it spreading and to make sure you're happy yourself and your family.

"I'd encourage it but I can't make that decision for all the players and staff, unfortunately."

Saturday's postponed EFL matches

Championship

Cardiff City v Derby County

Coventry City v Stoke City

Millwall v Preston

QPR v Swansea City

Reading v Luton Town

League One

AFC Wimbledon v Portsmouth

Bolton Wanderers v Wycombe Wanderers

Burton v MK Dons

Gillingham v Crewe Alexandra

Lincoln City v Doncaster Rovers

Sheffield Wednesday v Accrington Stanley

League Two

Carlisle United v Bradford City

Colchester United v Hartlepool United

Crawley Town v Oldham Athletic

Forest Green Rovers v Mansfield Town

Northampton Town v Barrow

Port Vale v Exeter City

Scunthorpe v Bristol Rovers

Swindon Town v Walsall

BBC Sport
BBC Sport

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