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MLS 'approaching' 95 percent of players being vaccinated against COVID-19?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/9/21

In late June, the WNBA announced that 99% of its players were considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at that time. Major League Soccer isn't quite there yet, but the North American top-flight is pretty close to matching that figure.

ESPN's Jeff Carlisle tweeted Friday that an MLS Players Association spokesperson says the league is "approaching 95% of the player pool being vaccinated." That spokesperson added:

"We are extremely proud of our members for doing their part in fighting the virus, and we remain supportive of all players getting the vaccine."

Doing some quick math, that means around 40 #MLS players haven't been vaccinated against #COVID19. https://t.co/Dp605flo1q
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 9, 2021

To compare, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Wednesday that 68% of that league's players had received at least one vaccine shot and that "virtually all Tier 1 and 2 personnel are vaccinated."

NFL coaches are stressing that players get jabbed before training camp sessions open later this month because unvaccinated players will have to follow strict health and safety protocols similar to those used to complete the 2020 season held when no vaccines were available to professional athletes.

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