US Military Sets Deadlines for Covid-19 Vaccination as Mandatory Requirement Takes Effect

Strategic Insights -

The US military is imposing vaccination deadlines for its service members as the Pentagon enforces its new policy requiring all active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel to get vaccinated against Covid-19. The US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have set various deadlines for completion of the vaccination process, with the Army setting the earliest deadline at December 15, 2021, for active-duty military members. The Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have also established their own deadlines, with the Navy and Marine Corps requiring all active-duty members to be fully vaccinated by November 28, 2021. Service members who refuse to comply with the vaccination requirement may face suspension, relief, or other disciplinary measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Army has set a deadline of December 15, 2021, for active-duty military members to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
  • The Air Force has set a deadline of November 2, 2021, for active-duty military members and December 2, 2021, for Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel.
  • The Navy has set a deadline of November 28, 2021, for all active-duty service members and December 28, 2021, for all Navy Reserve service members.
  • The Marine Corps has set a deadline of November 28, 2021, for all active-duty service members and December 28, 2021, for all reservists.
  • Service members who refuse to comply with the vaccination requirement may face suspension, relief, or other disciplinary measures.
  • The US military policy requires all service members to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect the force and defend the American people.
  • Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the policy in August, stating that mandatory vaccination is necessary to protect the force and defend the American people.

Statistics:

  • December 15, 2021, is the deadline for active-duty military members in the US Army to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
  • November 2, 2021, is the deadline for active-duty military members and December 2, 2021, is the deadline for Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel.
  • November 28, 2021, is the deadline for all active-duty service members and December 28, 2021, is the deadline for all Navy Reserve service members and Marine Corps reservists.
  • The Covid-19 vaccine has been fully authorized by the FDA since August.
  • The number of active-duty military members and reserve personnel in the US military exceeds 1.3 million.

Sources:

  • CNN - Ellie Kaufman and Oren Liebermann
  • US Army statement released on September 7, 2021
  • US Air Force release on September 3, 2021
  • US Navy release on August 21, 2021
  • US Marine Corps release on August 21, 2021
  • Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin memo released on August 25, 2021