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Friday, August 13, 2021
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released a memo to all United States Department of Defense employees today, informing they are to be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from September 15.
The memo leaves open the possibility the deadline is moved up should the Food and Drug Administration grants a coronavirus vaccine full approval, without which Austin would have to receive authorization directly from US president Joe Biden. Austin encouraged all departmental employees to get the vaccine irrespectively.
Biden said of the memo “I strongly support Secretary Austin’s message to the Force today on the Department of Defense’s plan to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required vaccinations for our service members not later than mid-September”, adding “Secretary Austin and I share an unshakable commitment to making sure our troops have every tool they need to do their jobs as safely as possible.”
At present, unvaccinated troops have to abide by normal anti-COVID restrictions that include mask wearing, social distancing, and restrictions on travel. Exemptions may be allowed to troops if they have a health concern, including pregnancy or severe adverse reaction, or conflicting religious belief, according to Newsweek.
Department of Defense employees are no strangers to vaccinations. Currently military service members are required to receive 17 vaccines to be declared fit for duty. If a servicemember refuses to receive these vaccines or is negligent in receiving them they are subject to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Currently military healthcare personnel are undergoing required training for multiple factors of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to ABC 10.