2026 NBA Champion Karl-Anthony Towns knows both ball and COVID-19. As Sanofi’s newest celeb spokesperson for the non-mRNA COVID vaccine Nuvaxovid, the athlete is sharing his personal experience with COVID and encouraging others to talk vaccination with their healthcare providers.
The campaign will see Towns helping to drive COVID awareness and education through a series of digital and social media activations, Sanofi said in a press release, building on the six-time NBA All-Star’s understanding of the importance of “preparation, performance and staying healthy.”
“With respiratory virus season fast approaching and preparing for the upcoming basketball season, being proactive about protecting my health remains a priority for me,” Towns commented in the release. “That's why I'm partnering with Sanofi to encourage people, especially those at increased risk, to talk with their healthcare provider to learn about their COVID-19 vaccination options, including Nuvaxovid."
As Towns explained, COVID-19 impacted his family “in a profound way,” with those experiences shaping his stance on health and “the importance of taking steps to help protect myself,” he said.
“Karl-Anthony brings an authentic and deeply personal perspective to raising awareness about COVID-19 vaccination,” explained Sanofi’s head of vaccines for North America, Kimberly Tutwiler, in a statement. “At a time when many eligible people remain unvaccinated, helping people better understand their available vaccination options remains an important public health priority.”
The company is “proud to partner” with Towns to encourage “informed conversations” about vaccine options, Tutwiler added.
It’s been a historic year for Sanofi’s new paid spokesperson, who helped lead the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship win in over 50 years. In an interview shared by Sanofi, the star center and forward opened up about losing his mother and several other close family members to COVID.
“I know firsthand how devastating this virus can be, and I want the people to understand that this virus can still have serious consequences and that protecting your health is something worth taking seriously,” Towns said.
As COVID season picks up this fall, Sanofi has taken to more than one athletic court to promote Nuvaxovid. Last month, the French pharma partnered with USA Pickleball for a joint “Serve Up Protection” campaign targeting older adults through multimedia education, fan experiences, “trusted pickleball voices,” and a presence at major events, such as USA Pickleball’s National Championships this November in San Diego.
Protein-based Nuvaxovid presents an alternative option to the mRNA shots made by Moderna and Pfizer. Originally developed by Novavax and handed over to Sanofi through a co-collaboration licensing agreement that went through last year, the vaccine earned full FDA approval last May in adults aged 65 years and older and people between the ages of 12 and 64 who have at least one underlying health condition.
Sanofi emphasizes that having multiple vaccine options is key to sustainable public health strategies and may help healthcare systems address vaccine hesitancy.
In the U.S., 17.5% of adults 18 years old and older reported getting a COVID vaccine for the 2025-2026 season as of Feb. 22, according to the CDC, while IQVIA tracked an estimated 20.82 million doses given in retail pharmacies and 2.47 million administered in medical offices as of April.