(Washington Insider Magazine) –The United States Army has revealed that soldiers currently on active duty will be given just three months to secure full vaccination against the COVID-19 virus or face possible discharge.
There are currently just under half a million soldiers on active duty throughout the force and each will be given until December 15 to secure their full vaccination. However, National Guard and Reserve troops, of which there are 336,500 and 189,800 respectively, have been handed an extended deadline of June 30, 2022.
From statistics secured on Tuesday, September 14, approximately 80 percent of all active-duty soldiers had already received one or more vaccine doses, although an accurate number could not be provided for the Reserve troops and National Guard.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said: “After careful consultation with medical experts and military leadership, and with the support of the President, I have determined that mandatory vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is necessary to protect the Force and defend the American people.
“To defend this Nation, we need a healthy and ready force.”
This announcement came after similar decisions from the other branches of the US military, however, only the Pfizer vaccine has been granted full approval from the Food and Drug Administration so far. Therefore, as things stand, this is the only officially mandated vaccine.
That being said, active-duty soldiers will be allowed to receive other vaccinations should they choose to do so, as long as they have their second dose two weeks before the December 15 deadline. This is because each soldier must also pass the two-week waiting period after their vaccine.
Any soldiers who refuse to receive a vaccine will be sought out and counseled by their superior officers, including discussions about order violations. However, such proceedings do not always result in punishment.
