NBA has 97% vaccination rate, reportedly urging players to get booster

The NBA has a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 97% among its 450-plus players, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

However, after evaluating antibody tests administered to 2,388 players and staff in a preseason study, the league is urging its players and team personnel to take the booster shot, according to an internal memo obtained by ESPN.

Analysis of the tests revealed the degradation of antibody levels across the board, but especially among those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Of the 2,388 individuals in the preseason study, antibodies weren't detected in just over 3.1% (75 total). Meanwhile, among an unknown number of players who took the Johnson & Johnson shot, that figure jumped to 11%.

Through Nov. 19, the NBA was aware of 34 breakthrough cases of COVID-19.