BERLIN (AP) – Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is at the center of a controversy in Germany over the COVID-19 vaccine.
Kimmich, 26, who has been singled out as the future captain of the German national team due to his leadership qualities, confirmed at the weekend that he has not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 due to his reservations due to “lack of studies long-term ”on the effects of vaccines.
Kimmich noted that he was still considering it and that it was “very possible that I get vaccinated.”
His comments were welcomed by the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which has repeatedly opposed the measures implemented against the coronavirus. On the other hand, it caused consternation among those who bet on vaccines as a way to return to normalcy at a time when infection rates are rising again in Germany.
“The more people are vaccinated, the less dangerous the virus will be,” Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch said Monday.
Medical expert Alena Buyx, president of the German Ethics Council, said Kimmich is “caught up in misinformation. You are being very badly advised. This is something that has now spread, and it would be great if he used his platform to better advise himself and be a role model in this regard ”.
“It is important to make clear that these forms of long-term effects do not exist,” said Buyx.
Meanwhile, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday that there are “clear and convincing answers” to Kimmich’s questions from national and international experts, and that he hoped “Kimmich will let all this information act on him and then maybe he can decide in favor of vaccination ”.
The player denied that he opposes the vaccine.
“I think the debate is a shame, that it is only about being vaccinated or not vaccinated and if you are not vaccinated, then you are automatically someone who denies the existence of COVID or an opponent of vaccines,” said Kimmich. “But there are other people at home, I think, who just have thoughts, whatever the reasons. I think they should be respected, especially if they stick to the guidelines, “he said.
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