- The Pentagon has ended a mandate adopted by the Biden administration requiring that all US armed forces members be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that all service members are still encouraged by their commanders to get vaccinated and boosted, but those who refuse on religious, administrative or medical grounds will not be discharged from the military.
- Military officials experienced unexpected resistance among troops regarding mandatory vaccines.
WASHINGTON D.C.: The Pentagon has ended a mandate adopted by the Biden administration requiring that all US armed forces members be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a memo, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that all service members are still encouraged by their commanders to get vaccinated and boosted, but those who refuse on religious, administrative or medical grounds will not be discharged from the military.
“The military departments will update the records of such individuals to remove any adverse actions, solely associated with denials of such requests, including letters of reprimand,” he said.
In August 2021, despite objections from Republicans, President Biden ordered all 1.3 million active US armed forces members to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Military officials experienced unexpected resistance among troops regarding mandatory vaccines.
According to data from the Defense Department, 3,717 Marines, 1,816 soldiers and 2,064 sailors have been discharged for refusing to receive vaccinations.
