With the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in recent weeks, a “small number” of U.S.-based NHL players have started to receive the vaccine, reported during Saturday’s ‘Headlines’ segment of Hockey Night in Canada.
“The league’s aware of some players who have got it through some circumstances, say the city that they live where it’s become available,” Johnston noted. “That hasn’t reached the point where it’s systematic yet. It’s not as though a team has been able to secure a vaccine for all its staff and its players just yet, but this process of getting the league vaccinated is now underway.”
Prior to the start of the 2020-21 NHL campaign, that the league was planning a private purchase of a COVID-19 vaccine for all people involved with the season. The NHL also made it clear, however, that it would not jump the line in order to secure the appropriate amount of vaccines.
NBA won’t force players to get vaccinated
NBA commissioner Adam Silver the league will not mandate its players to receive the vaccine. Silver noted that receiving the vaccine is a “personal decision.” The commissioner’s comments came after a report from claimed some of the league’s top stars were hesitant to promote the vaccine in an NBA public service announcement due to safety and effectiveness concerns. It was also reported that some players were reluctant to do the league a favour after it did not cancel the All-Star game, which has received
NHL arenas in the United States have already begun welcoming fans back as 17 of the 24 American teams are allowed limited attendance capacities. None of the seven Canadian franchises have opened its doors to spectators yet.