A quarter of Football League players still have no intention of getting the Covid-19 vaccine despite the Government’s attempts to persuade them of its benefits.
The proportion of footballers who have been double-vaccinated has increased from approximately 18 per cent in August to 49 per cent in the latest set of figures collated by the League.
But the number of players who have been immunised or plan to get the jab has gone up by only five per cent over the past month, the Mail on Sunday has learnt.
‘Approximately 75 per cent of players this month across the EFL are fully vaccinated, have had a single jab or intend to be vaccinated, which is up from 70 per cent in the last set of figures,’ a source said.
A quarter of Football League players still have no intention of getting the Covid vaccine
It is understood that some players are reluctant to get vaccinated against the disease because their youth and level of fitness mean they are unlikely to suffer should they contract it.
They are also concerned by stories of people suffering heart inflammation after taking the vaccine, even though official medical agencies have reported such cases as ‘very rare’.
One theory circulating among players is that Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 might have been linked to the jab, despite no medical evidence to support the suggestion.
The latest figures emerge even though the EFL have stepped up efforts to ‘bust the myths’ around the vaccine’s safety and to educate players on its benefits for individuals and society. Posters and leaflets containing such information have been distributed to clubs in the hope that they will be displayed in stadiums and training grounds.
The EFL are also working with the NHS to increase the number of mobile vaccination centres visiting clubs.
One theory circulating among players is that Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 might have been linked to the jab despite there being no medical evidence to support the suggestion
‘Vaccinations will preserve the integrity of our competitions and we’re continuing to educate players and staff,’ the source said.
The EFL and Premier League recorded a video with professor Jonathan Van-Tam last month in which the Government’s deputy chief medical officer debunked some of the conspiracy theories.
It was circulated among players’ WhatsApp groups, with the Government hoping their willingness to get vaccinated would encourage other young people to
