The Brooklyn Nets star, who has not played or practiced with his team this season because he remains unvaccinated, reportedly doesn't trust the available vaccines.
- Dec 8, 2021
AceShowbiz - Kyrie Irving is one of a few NBA stars who remain adamant about not getting their COVID vaccines, but that may soon change. Words are the Australian-born athlete may be swayed to take the jab under a certain condition.
Kyrie, who has adopted a 100-percent plant-based diet, may get his shot when a plant-based COVID-19 vaccine has been approved, say "people close to" him. Right now, one such vaccine is undergoing clinical trials with more than 30,000 people taking part, according to Bally Sports, citing a report in August.
As for the reason why Kyrie has decided not to get vaccinated just yet, he reportedly has concerns about the possibility of long-term side effects, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are "extremely unlikely."
The sources also note that Kyrie knows anything he says will be magnified and scrutinized and he doesn't want to be viewed as an anti-vaxxer. He's not taking this stance to be a voice for the voiceless. He's just not trusting of the available vaccines, according to the sources.
Another thing that has factored in his decision to not get vaccinated is that the Brooklyn Nets star has had bad experiences with his health due to basketball injuries over the years. "Based on his last three or four years, I can see why he'd be apprehensive," one source shares.
Kyrie has not played or practiced with his team this season because he is still not vaccinated. In October, he doubled down on his stance, insisting that he is not anti-vaxxer, but it is about his freedom to choose what's best for him.
"I chose to be unvaccinated. And that was my choice. And I would ask y'all just to respect that choice," he said on Instagram Live. "I'm staying grounded in what I believe in. It's not about being anti-vax or about being on one side or the other. It's about being true to what feels good for me. I'm still uncertain about a lot of things."
