NBA recommends COVID-19 booster shots for players, coaches, referees

The NBA is recommending that its players, coaches and referees get vaccine booster shots against the COVID-19 virus. 

In a league memo obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday, league personnel who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are advised to seek a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot. Those who got the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine are advised to get whatever booster is available.

According to league data, antibody levels for recipients of the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines wane after six months, compared with two months for recipients of the single Johnson & Johnson shot. 

The league also said that some vaccinated players who decline to receive a booster shot could be subjected to game-day testing starting on Dec.1, depending on when they received their initial vaccine doses, the AP reported. 

The AP noted that 97 percent of NBA players are vaccinated against the virus.

However, a number of vaccinated NBA players have still entered the league’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for the virus this season.

The Hill has reached out to the NBA for comment.