Callum Robinson says he is not vaccinated, despite having COVID twice

"That's my choice at this moment in time"

West Bromwich Albion striker Callum Robinson has revealed that he has not been vaccinated against Covid-19, despite contracting the virus twice. The Republic of Ireland international missed games for his national side in November 2020, after being named as close contact before testing positive himself.  The 26-year-old also missed the Republic's September World Cup qualifier in Portugal after contracting the virus for a second time in August. When questioned on the subject, Robinson revealed that he has no immediate plans to get vaccinated. "I haven't been vaccinated, no. That's my choice at this moment in time," he said.

"It's obviously annoying that I've caught it twice but I haven't been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it."

https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1445649683347509258

Robinson - who is in the squad for Saturday's qualifier against Azerbaijan - is tested regularly for Covid-19, along with his team-mates.

When asked why he was not vaccinated, the West Brom forward stated it was a 'personal choice'.

"I just haven't, I just haven't done it," he added.

"I think it's your personal choice and my choice at this moment in time, I haven't been vaccinated.

"I know, as you said, there are managers and people that will want you to do it, which is right in their way, the way they think, but everyone has their choice on what they want to do. I wouldn't force people to do it, it's your choice and your body."

The former Sheffield United attacker was speaking days after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed his concern with Premier League players who have not had the vaccine.

Klopp revealed that "99%" of his players have been vaccinated, stating that he didn't need to convince them to do so.

According to the BBC, as of last week, only seven clubs in the Premier League had more than 50% of players fully vaccinated.

It is also believed that, in the English Football League, 49% of players were fully vaccinated in September - up from 18% the previous month. 

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• Jurgen Klopp compares people who refuse the Covid jab to drunk drivers
• Care worker angry after losing job for refusing the vaccine
• Trinidad and Tobago confirm Nicki Minaj’s vaccine claim never even happened