Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich on why he remained unvaccinated amid COVID vaccine debate

 Bayern Munich soccer star Joshua Kimmich has found himself at center of a debate in Germany over merits of vaccination against coronavirus. 26-year-old Kimmich, tipped as a future Germany captain for his leership qualities, confirmed over weekend that he is yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19 because of his own concerns about “a lack of long-term studies” into effects of vaccines.

Kimmich said he was still considering it and that it was “very possible that I will get vaccinated.” His comments were welcomed by far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has consistently opposed measures against coronavirus, while y led to dismay among those who are banking on vaccines as a route back toward rmalcy at a time when infection rates are climbing again in Germany.

“ more people who are vaccinated, less dangerous virus will be,” Leipzig's American coach Jesse Marsch said Monday.

Medical expert Alena Buyx, president of German Ethics Council, said Kimmich is “caught up in misinformation. He is very bly vised. This is something that has w spre, and it would be great if he’d used his platform to get better vice to be a role model in this regard.” Buyx ded: “It is important to clarify that se forms of long-term effects do t exist.”

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Monday that re were “clear and convincing answers” to Kimmich’s questions from national and international experts, and that he hoped that “Kimmich lets all this information work on him and n maybe he can decide in favor of vaccination.”

Kimmich’s reluctance to get vaccinated surprised many due to his involvement in setting up “We Kick Corona” fundraising campaign with Bayern and Germany teammate Leon Goretzka in March 2020. Toger y raised millions for social and charitable organizations to continue working during pandemic, while some of that money also went to medical associations.

“We also donated to UNICEF, who me vaccines available. point was that re are also countries that do t have access to vaccines,” Kimmich said Saturday after Bayern’s win over Hoffenheim. “I think everyone should make decision for mselves and it cant be that someone has access. Because if you make decision to do so, n you should do everything you can to ensure that y can get vaccine."

player denied being opposed to vaccines.

“I think that’s a shame about debate, that it’s only about being vaccinated or t vaccinated and if you’re t, n you’re automatically a COVID-denier or vaccine-opponent,” Kimmich said. “But re are or people at home, I think, who are simply having thoughts — whatever reasons are. I think y should be respected, especially if y are sticking to guidelines.”

Neir German soccer league r clubs publicize which players are vaccinated and which are t. Several have contracted coronavirus since pandemic began.

Kimmich is almost certainly t only Bundesliga player who isn’t vaccinated, but his stature as a Bayern and Germany leer — he captained Germany in Manuel Neuer’s absence recently — means his statements carry ded weight.

“As an example, but also for practical reasons, it would be better if he were vaccinated,” former Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

Rummenigge’s successor Oliver Kahn said that Bayern’s stance as a club is that “we can only recommend to everyone to get vaccinated” but that “you also have to respect if one or ar has ar opinion.”

Bayern coach Julian Nlsmann is currently self-isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated . Nlsmann is coping well with disease and has been conveying messs to assistant coach Di Toppmöller for last two games.

While most of last season was played without any fans at all present, this season has seen ir return under stringent conditions. Most clubs are still operating under so-called 3G rule – spectators must be vaccinated against COVID-19, have recovered from disease, or have proof of a negative test result.

But some only allow vaccinated or recovered fans to attend games. same rule doesn’t apply to players or it would mean that Kimmich, and any ors who aren't vaccinated, would t be granted entry.

Kimmich said he undergoes tests regularly, and that y are paid for by his club. Former Bayern president Uli Hoeness would t be drawn on his thoughts over Kimmich’s statements. “I have an opinion on matter, but only for him,” Hoeness said.