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LeBron James admits he’s been vaccinated

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James confirms he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus despite his initial skepticism, for his family’s sake.

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EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he answers questions during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 28, 2021 in El Segundo, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AF
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he answers questions during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 28, 2021 in El Segundo, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFHarry HowAFP

The Covid vaccine has been a hot-button topic in the run-up to the NBA season, with some players refusing to get the shot and the league not requiring them to do so.

James had previously declined to say whether he had gotten the shot, saying it was a private matter for him and his family. But on Lakers’ media day, he admitted that he got the vaccine “for my family and friends.”

"I know that I was very skeptical about it all but after doing my own research I felt like it was best-suited for me and my family and my friends. That's why I decided to do it.”

James: Winning title starts with being healthy

The four-time MVP says that this is part of being in a team that wants to work well together, be able to play during the season, and win.

"At the end of the day you're always trying to figure out ways that you can be available and protect one another and put yourself in the best possible chance where you are available to your team-mates, available to do what we need to do on the floor," he said.

“The ultimate goal is to win a championship and it starts with being healthy, which is the number one thing.”

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James not a vaccine advocate

Despite his admission, James says he is not going to be an advocate for vaccination. He says that getting the shot is a personal choice, and that he does not want to influence people regarding the matter.

“I don’t feel like for me personally that I should get involved in what other people should do for their bodies,” he said. "I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family and things of that nature.”

“As far as speaking for everybody and their individualities and things that they want to do, I don’t feel like that’s my job,” said the multi-product endorser.

Lakers to be fully vaccinated by season opener

The Lakers have declared that the team will be 100% vaccinated by the opening night of the regular season on Oct. 19.

Around 90 percent of players in the NBA are believed to have been vaccinated so far, in time for the start of the new season.

However, there are still some players who have adamantly stated that they will not get the shot, or have refused to confirm their vaccination status.