They were warned: NFL changes who it considers fully vaxxed, mandates boosters by end of Christmas weekend ... or else

Vaccine mandate naysayers repeatedly warned anyone who would listen that "fully vaccinated" would eventually evolve from two jabs to "whatever boosters government experts tell you to get" — and now NFL employees are learning that those critics, who are often purged from what the smart set considers polite and right-thinking society, were correct all along.

The NFL entered the season with stringent COVID protocols and vaccine requirements. And now the league's employees are being told they have to get another shot.

ESPN reported Monday that the league sent a memo to the teams ordering that all Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees — e.g. coaches, front-office executives, and medical personnel — have to get the booster jab by Dec. 27. News of the new order came following reports that the NFL had 37 positive tests Monday, an unusually high number of cases.

"On November 29, the CDC issued a study showing that the effectiveness of the approved COVID-19 vaccines may decrease over time and has recommended that all eligible vaccinated individuals over the age of 18 should receive a booster shot," the NFL said in the memo, which was posted by the NFL Network. "Given the increased prevalence of the virus in our communities, our experts have recommended that we implement the CDC's recommendation."

Folks who got the Pfizer or Moderna shots more than six months ago and those who got the Johnson & Johnson shot more than two months ago — all of whom were considered fully vaxxed until just recently — will have to get boosters.

There are some workers who don't have to get jabbed — at least not yet:

• An individual who is not eligible for a booster pursuant as per the CDC definition; OR
• An individual who is in the 90-day test holiday after a confirmed positive COVID test under the league Protocols; OR
• An individual who received monoclonal antibodies within the immediately preceding 90 days; OR
• An individual whose “S” antibody level on an antibody test administered via BRL (BioReference Lab) at the club facility is 2500 or greater.

No word from the league on how soon it will again change the standard for whom it considers fully vaxxed.