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HEALTH Secretary Sajid Javid said today it is “disappointing” that at least five members of the England squad are reportedly refusing to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
He said the players are role models who could play a part in encouraging others to get the jab.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also said he is “at a loss” to explain why there is seemingly a reluctance among Premier League players to be vaccinated.
Their comments came after The Sun reported five players have not had the jab despite organisers of next year’s Qatar World Cup planning to ban all unvaccinated players.
Mr Javid told Times Radio of the “huge vaccine wall of defence” being created, and added: “I would just appeal to these people, whether they are footballers, whoever it is… that the vaccines are working.
“Help protect yourself and protect those around you.
“They’ve made a conscious choice. It is disappointing, of course it is… They are role models in society.
“People, especially young people, I think will look up to them and they should recognise that and the difference that can make in terms of encouraging others.”
A report this week suggested only seven of the 20 Premier League clubs have succeeded in fully vaccinating 50 per cent or more of their squads, with the overall average said to be approximately one-third of all players.
Liverpool have outperformed most of their rivals on that front, with Klopp revealing their vaccination rate is 99 per cent.
Klopp said he believes it is his personal responsibility to consider the lives of others: “I don’t take the vaccination only to protect me, I take the vaccination to protect all the people around me.”
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I am really grateful for the many sports personalities who have leveraged their celebrity to encourage others to get the jab through campaigns and using their own social media platforms.
“There will be some people unable to get the jab, but it is disappointing to hear there may be some footballers unwilling to get vaccinated, perhaps due to misinformation online.”
