The NFL anticipates the key members of every team’s football operations staff to be given a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have a”bona fide” medical or religious reason not to, according to a memo issued to all clubs Tuesday.
NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills stated last month that no NFL employee, including gamers, would be required to vaccination as a condition of employment, which remains the situation. Tuesday’s edict, however, outlines the repercussions for those Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees who decide not to. Those classes do not include players but rather coaches, front office executives, medical staff, video specialists and others who traditionally work closely with players.
According to the memo,”some staffer that refuses to be vaccinated without a religious or medical reason won’t be eligible for Tier 1 or 2 status and so won’t be allowed access into the’soccer only’ limited area and might not work straight or in close proximity with players.” Non-vaccinated employees also will not be eligible for an anticipated relaxation of certain COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated people.
The league’s vaccination arrangement with gamers has been negotiated separately with all the NFL Players Association, alongside other pandemic-related offseason protocols. In the meantime, teams have been requested to file weekly reports on employee vaccination numbers. The NFL and NFLPA are exchanging proposals on a vaccination threshold for individual teams which, based on Tuesday’s memo, would”give vaccinated individuals significant relief from requirements regarding testing, PPE usage, physical distancing, travel and other subjects.”
