The Blue Jays Leave The Vaccination Decision To Merrifield After The Trade

There is “nothing new” to note on that front, interim manager John Schneider said Wednesday, and the team insists it will leave it up to Merrifield to decide how to approach vaccine selection from here. “Obviously we know he wasn’t there in Toronto, but it’s totally up to him,” Snyder said. “And I’m sure he’s had conversations with his family and other people. So, you know, we leave that decision up to him.” When Kansas City came to Toronto from July 14-17, Merrifield was one of 10 players who were significantly absent, barred from traveling to Canada due to restrictions put in place requiring cross-border travelers to be vaccinated to enter the country. America has a similar policy for non-residents, although it has not affected the Blue Jays, as all their players have received the necessary vaccine for COVID-19. Merrifield has yet to assess his vaccination status since news of the trade broke Tuesday, declining to comment to reporters in Kansas City yesterday, according to the team’s communications staff. Previously discussing the vaccine, Merrifield said after the Toronto series that he would consider getting vaccinated in the future — if doing so would allow him to play in the postseason. “Right or wrong, I didn’t do it on a whim,” Merrifield said. “It’s been a long thought process. Because I understand what Canada has right now. That’s the only reason I would consider getting it at this point, is to go to Canada. That can change down the road. Something happens and happens to get on a team that has a chance to play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that will change.” Merrifield has not publicly explained what that thought process entailed or why he chose not to vaccinate despite clinical and factual evidence showing the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 — especially when a person remains up to date on his vaccinations, with booster shots that further improve protection. In order for Merrifield to meet the country’s requirements as a fully vaccinated traveler, he must have received at least two doses of travel-accepted COVID-19 vaccine according to the most recent Government of Canada advisory, or at least one dose of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Johnson. Whichever vaccination regimen is chosen, a person must have received their second dose – or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine – at least 14 calendar days before entering Canada. This timing requirement only applies to a person’s second dose, not their third or fourth dose. That means if Merrifield were to choose to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today, Aug. 3, the earliest he could play in Toronto would be after Aug. 17, when the Blue Jays host the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto’s next home games this month come next week, starting with an Aug. 23 game against the Boston Red Sox. Editor’s note: The COVID-19 situation, in sport and around the world, is constantly evolving. Readers in Canada can consult the country’s public health website for the latest.

title: “The Blue Jays Leave The Vaccination Decision To Merrifield After The Trade " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-03” author: “Stephen Lewis”

There is “nothing new” to note on that front, interim manager John Schneider said Wednesday, and the team insists it will leave it up to Merrifield to decide how to approach vaccine selection from here. “Obviously we know he wasn’t there in Toronto, but it’s totally up to him,” Snyder said. “And I’m sure he’s had conversations with his family and other people. So, you know, we leave that decision up to him.” When Kansas City came to Toronto from July 14-17, Merrifield was one of 10 players who were significantly absent, barred from traveling to Canada due to restrictions put in place requiring cross-border travelers to be vaccinated to enter the country. America has a similar policy for non-residents, although it has not affected the Blue Jays, as all their players have received the necessary vaccine for COVID-19. Merrifield has yet to assess his vaccination status since news of the trade broke Tuesday, declining to comment to reporters in Kansas City yesterday, according to the team’s communications staff. Previously discussing the vaccine, Merrifield said after the Toronto series that he would consider getting vaccinated in the future — if doing so would allow him to play in the postseason. “Right or wrong, I didn’t do it on a whim,” Merrifield said. “It’s been a long thought process. Because I understand what Canada has right now. That’s the only reason I would consider getting it at this point, is to go to Canada. That can change down the road. Something happens and happens to get on a team that has a chance to play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that will change.” Merrifield has not publicly explained what that thought process entailed or why he chose not to vaccinate despite clinical and factual evidence showing the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 — especially when a person remains up to date on his vaccinations, with booster shots that further improve protection. In order for Merrifield to meet the country’s requirements as a fully vaccinated traveler, he must have received at least two doses of travel-accepted COVID-19 vaccine according to the most recent Government of Canada advisory, or at least one dose of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Johnson. Whichever vaccination regimen is chosen, a person must have received their second dose – or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine – at least 14 calendar days before entering Canada. This timing requirement only applies to a person’s second dose, not their third or fourth dose. That means if Merrifield were to choose to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today, Aug. 3, the earliest he could play in Toronto would be after Aug. 17, when the Blue Jays host the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto’s next home games this month come next week, starting with an Aug. 23 game against the Boston Red Sox. Editor’s note: The COVID-19 situation, in sport and around the world, is constantly evolving. Readers in Canada can consult the country’s public health website for the latest.