Australia plans to vaccinate Olympic competitors before the Games in Tokyo
Federal Sport Minister Richard Colbeck said Australia is planning to vaccinate its Olympians against COVID-19 before they head to the Tokyo Games.
Prior to the July 23-Aug 8 Games, Colbeck reported preparations were in place for athletes to be given COVID-19 vaccines.
There are a number of Olympic national committees preparing to vaccinate their competitors.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Olympic Committee told Reuters that it had already vaccinated half of its Olympic delegation and that the process would be completed by the end of May.
President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee said the governing body on Wednesday was not in favor of “jumping the queue” for COVID-19 vaccinations for athletes.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said it hoped that it would be possible to vaccinate athletes, but said disadvantaged individuals and health workers should come first.
Thursday, said an AOC spokesperson. “We are recommending and encouraging our athletes to get vaccinated but support the IOC position that it’s not mandatory,” said an AOC spokesman on Thursday.
Source: Japan Today
