ToplineThe Pentagon announced Monday that the Department of Defense will require all U.S. Military personnel to be vaccinated against Covid-19 no later than mid September. This is a significant step in President Joe Biden's efforts to reduce coronavirus infections.Navy personnel prepare Covid-19 vaccine doses before opening a mass vaccination site in Queensborough, New York on February 24, 2021. POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Key FactsAccording to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the DOD will request that Biden make mandatory the coronavirus vaccinations for troops by the middle of next year. This was written in a memo Monday to Department of Defense employees. Forbes has also received it. Austin will accelerate his timeline if the Food and Drug Administration approves Pfizers vaccine, which has an emergency use permit before then. Austin said he would not hesitate to take action sooner if the coronavirus infection becomes more severe. The Associated Press first reported the news.Important QuoteWe need a strong and healthy force to defend our Nation. Austin stated that I urge all DoD civilian and military personnel to get vaccinated immediately and that military Service members should not wait until the mandate is given.Important BackgroundAustin said that while the Pentagon had struggled to implement a slow vaccination campaign earlier in the year, its partial vaccination rate increased to 70% last month. Austin spoke to reporters two weeks ago. Officials are pushing for more vaccinations of the nation's nearly 1.4 million military personnel. They point to the new, more contagious delta virus and the risk of local outbreaks in areas where the U.S. military is present. Biden ordered the Pentagon to investigate a mandate for vaccines late last month. This could include the addition of coronavirus vaccines, which would be added to the 17 immunizations that troops already need to receive.TangentBiden has ordered federal civilian workers, which number 2.1 million, to get vaccinated against coronavirus. They also have to face a litany public health restrictions that include frequent testing and social distancing at the workplace.Continue readingBiden Announces Vaccine-Or Test Mandate for All Federal Workers, Military Included (Forbes).Pentagon will require COVID vaccine to all troops by Sept. 15, according to the Associated Press
