Amid the vaccine controversies brewing in the tennis world, the Austrian health minister on Thursday advised Dominic Thiem to get a jab, to be on the safer side. The former US Open Champion had put out a statement earlier about waiting for a vaccine from the American Pharma company Novavax. The vaccine is said to have been using an “Inactivated” protein-based formula. Although there’s been no confirmation as to when such a vaccine will be launched, hence, Thiem also insisted that if there was no other option, he would opt to take one of the already approved jabs.
Wolfgang Muckstein, the Austrian Health Minister and a practicing doctor pressed on the same point when he asked the 28-year-old tennis player to get vaccinated. According to TOI, the minister said, “I can only ask Dominic Thiem to get vaccinated. The inactive vaccines may not be available until 2022, and there is no indication that they have an advantage over the current vaccines.” Further pressing the matters, Muckstein pointed out that he has seen patients below 30 years of age being admitted to intensive care. And that if Thiem has some doubts, he can meet the minister personally, who is willing to help him remove the uncertainties.
The Vaccine issue has grown ever since it was announced that the unvaccinated players will not get special dispensation for the Australian Open. This has led to the ruling out of the reigning champion Novak Djokovic. The 9 time AO champion has chosen to not disclose his vaccination status.
