Rummenigge reacts to Kimmich’s comments on vaccination

Joshua Kimmich

earlier this week that he has not taken the COVID-19 vaccine. The player insisted he is not against vaccination, but said he will wait for further studies on its long-term effects.

As one of the founders of the "We Kick Corona" initiative, Kimmich has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts to help those affected by COVID-19. 

Former Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Kimmich should not be criticized for his decision, but he expects the midfielder to take the jab in the near future.

"First of all, I would like to say to Kimmich that he may be the Bundesliga player who has a role model function in many ways.”

Rummenigge told

Bild Live

.

"I know him as a great person, as his 'We kick Corona' initiative shows. Of course, it came as a surprise that he wasn't vaccinated. That has now led to a discussion. 

"In February of this year, I suggested that it would be wise to vaccinate footballers early – as an example for everyone else.

"I've been horribly criticised. Now it has turned a little. What Joshua does is very responsible. He would like to wait for things like the long-term effects for himself and he is tested every other day. As a role model, it would still be better if he were vaccinated.”

According to

Bild

, the 26-year-old is among five Bayern Munich players who have not taken the vaccine. The report was published after the Bavarians’ manager Julian Nagelsmann

for COVID-19 earlier this week.

Rummenigge added:

"I am convinced that he may be vaccinated soon. He is a totally responsible person and player. We can be very happy that he is part of these two teams in our country."

Asked about mandatory vaccination for players, the club legend responded:

"The compulsory vaccination does not lie with football, but with politics. Due to the fact that one or the other is not vaccinated in Bavaria, we now have a discussion. But that shouldn't be introduced through football."

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