Olympic Athletes to Be Offered
COVID-19 Vaccine Before Games.
On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee announced its
initiative to increase safety at the upcoming Summer Games. .
All athletes and officials traveling to Tokyo, Japan, for the
Olympic Games will be offered doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. .
The committee has struck a deal with the drugmaker to
provide doses to the participants in their home countries.
The shots will then be administered
via domestic inoculation programs.
In a statement, the committee said this vaccine initiative
was launched to “contribute to the safe environment” of the
Olympic Games and "out of respect" for Japan's residents.
So far, less than one percent of people in Japan
are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Although competitors are
encouraged to get vaccinated,
it is not a requirement.
We are inviting the athletes and participating
delegations of the upcoming Olympic and
Paralympic Games to lead by example and accept
the vaccine where and when possible. , IOC President Thomas Bach, via statement .
By taking the vaccine, they can send a powerful message that vaccination is not only about personal health, but also about solidarity and consideration of the wellbeing of others in
their communities, IOC President Thomas Bach, via statement