Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has encouraged his players and staff to get their coronavirus booster vaccinations as soon as possible, amid rising cases of the new Omicron variant.
On Sunday, the UK government announced that booster jabs have been made available to everyone ages 18 and over, as long as their second vaccine took place at least three months ago.
Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have recently reported COVID-19 outbreaks, with the former forced to close their training ground on Monday as a result.
Asked by the press whether Man City players have the option of receiving a booster vaccine, Guardiola said: "Absolutely, the doctors suggest that they have to do it (take their booster jabs).
"Most of us have it already and I think the players for the age and the moment they have to do it, everyone is going to decide, and they have to do it."
"I am not concerned because they might cancel the Premier League. I am concerned because the virus is here and people suffer. We speak with the players almost every day to say be careful. Stay safe, stay healthy, wear masks, social distance.
"Now at Christmas time, the tendency is to organise parties and go out, it's normal. But the virus is still here, the old and the new variant.
"Hopefully 95% of the people here are vaccinated, you can get it, but I think it doesn't allow you to suffer much, but the cases rise day by day, so just be careful."
The Citizens will be looking to claim their seven successive Premier League victory and remain at the top of the table when they welcome Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Oliver Thomas
