LSU's Mike The Tiger mascot got vaccinated

Mike The Tiger isn’t missing any football games in Death Valley this fall. LSU’s live tiger mascot received his second COVID-19 vaccination from his tiger veterinarian down in Baton Rouge, the school announced on Monday. He got his first shot back in July.

“Mike VII has not shown any adverse effects from the vaccine,” LSU said in a release. “His caretakers will continue to monitor him closely as always. LSU is dedicated to providing the best care for Mike VII.”

Mike’s second poke means he can now avoid the SEC’s stricter protocols on the unvaccinated while roaring on the home team from outside Tiger Stadium. Last season 10-foot barriers were placed around Mike’s permanent living quarters on campus once tigers in the Brooklyn Zoo tested positive for COVID-19, but the barriers will be removed next week now that Mike can show proof of vaccination.

However, LSU will still leave Mike at home when the Tigers travel to Lexington to take on Kentucky in Kroger Field on October 9. He used to get out for the occasional SEC road trip, but LSU started leaving Mike in his 15,000-square foot habitat between Tiger Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center back in 2017.

You may see him recovering from his second dose on the live Mike The Tiger cam:

Good for Mike for being a team player, although he’ll likely catch flack from some of his un-vaxxed distant tiger relatives on Facebook for his decision.