The NBA has increased the level of urgency for obtaining the coronavirus booster shots, advising players and coaches that it is no longer advisable to wait before receiving the extra dose.
The booster vaccines should be received “as soon as possible, especially in light of the current situation around the coronavirus and the increase in cases,” the league wrote to the teams in a note obtained by the Associated Press.
Earlier this week, the NBA and the Circuit Players Association revealed that they recommend that booster doses be received by those who are fully vaccinated, suggesting it be done before 1er December in most cases.
But with positivity rates on the rise in many parts of the country and with a “high” rate of community transmission of COVID-19 in most NBA markets, the league and union have estimated that the level of urgency is now justified. The NBA recently saw an increase in the positivity rate among vaccinated players, team staff and family members, which is consistent with trends in many places across the country.
At least eight players are known to be currently under league health and safety protocols, which means they have reportedly tested positive for the virus. Another who had to follow the protocols, Tobias Harris of the 76ers of Philadelphia, played his first game Thursday night since being tested positive.
Harris missed six games and had been experiencing symptoms.
Other NBA players currently known to be in league protocols include Joel Embiid, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe of the 76ers, Jakob Poeltl and Jock Lansdale of the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls.