The Pentagon announced on Monday that all U.S. military personnel must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by mid-September.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pointed out that if the vaccine can get final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration earlier, or the infection rate continues to rise, the deadline may be advanced.
“I will seek the President’s approval, no later than mid-September or immediately” after obtaining full FDA approval, the mandatory use of the vaccine, whichever comes first,” Austin said in his statement. memorandum, This was posted on Twitter.
The Pentagon’s plan gives the FDA time to finally approve the Pfizer vaccine, which is expected to be released early next month. If not officially approved, Austin needs Biden’s exemption to force a shot, but Biden has made it clear that he supports this move.
in a statement Biden said in a statement issued on Monday that he strongly supports Austin’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of vaccinations required by our service personnel no later than mid-September.
Biden added: “Vaccinations will keep our soldiers healthy, better protect their families, and ensure that our troops are ready to operate anywhere in the world.”
Austin’s decision reflects recent actions taken by governments and companies across the country, as the highly contagious Delta variant has pushed the number of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the United States to the highest level since last winter. Associated Press Report. Concerns about the rapid spread of the virus are particularly serious in the military where military personnel live and work closely in barracks and on ships, because any large-scale outbreak in the military may weaken the United States’ ability to defend itself in a security crisis.
Austin emphasized that if the infection rate rises and threatens military preparedness, “If I feel it is necessary, I will not hesitate to act as soon as possible or recommend a different route to the president. To defend this country, we need a healthy and prepared team. Troops.”
The military department will prepare in the next few weeks to determine how many vaccines they need and how to perform this task. Associated Press Report.
The decision will add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of other vaccines that service personnel already need to get. Depending on their location, service members can get up to 17 different vaccines, Associated Press Say.
The Austin memo also stated that at the same time, the Pentagon will comply with Biden’s order to impose additional restrictions on unvaccinated federal personnel, including wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and travel restrictions.
According to the Pentagon, more than 1 million soldiers were vaccinated, and another 237,000 were vaccinated once. Associated Press Report. However, the vaccination rates of different military departments vary greatly.
The Navy stated that more than 74% of active and reserve sailors received at least one shot of the vaccine. The Air Force reports that more than 65% of active and 60% of reserve forces are at least partially vaccinated, while the Army’s figure appears to be close to 50%. Associated Press Report.
Service personnel can seek exemptions for any vaccine for various reasons, including health issues or religious beliefs-whether temporary or permanent. For example, the regulations say that anyone who has a serious adverse reaction to the vaccine can be exempted, and those who are pregnant or have other conditions can postpone the vaccination. Associated Press Report.
Fauci hopes to fully approve Pfizer vaccine by the end of the month
Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that he hopes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will fully approve Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine by the end of August, and he expects a wave of mandatory vaccine requirements soon.
Currently, the agency only approved the emergency use of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Pfizer first applied for full approval in May.
Although the Biden administration does not require federal workers to be vaccinated, it urges state and local governments and businesses to consider this move. Fauci stated on NBC’s “Meet the Media” program on Sunday that “local-level tasks need to be completed” to help contain the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Associated Press Report.
“I hope — I don’t predict — I hope it will be in the next few weeks. I hope it will be in August,” Fauci said of the FDA’s approval of the vaccine. “If this is the case, you will see the authorization of local companies. The authorization may be colleges, universities, commercial establishments, and various places. I strongly support this. The time has come…We’ve got to Take additional measures to get people vaccinated.”
Biden recently approved regulations that require federal workers to provide vaccination certificates or regular tests, wear masks, and travel restrictions. Biden is still waiting for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s suggestion that the US military may be required to be vaccinated. Associated Press Report.
At the same time, many well-known companies have informed their employees that they are planning new coronavirus vaccination requirements, and some regions have issued or are considering vaccine requirements for indoor dining. Associated Press Report.
United Airlines stated that its employees need to be fully vaccinated on October 25 or five weeks after the FDA fully approves one of the vaccines (whichever comes first).
At the same time, Disney and Wal-Mart announced mandatory vaccination requirements for white-collar workers. Microsoft, Google and Facebook said they will require employees and visitors to the US office to provide proof of vaccination. Associated Press Report. Tyson Foods also announced that it will require all US employees to be vaccinated by November.
But last week, the U.S. Supreme Court was ordered to block Indiana University’s vaccine authorization program after the Federal Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Indiana University. Associated Press Report. This is the first time that the High Court has been asked to weigh the vaccine authorization.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said on NBC’s “Meet the Media” program on Sunday that she supports educators’ vaccination.
“Out of personal conscience, I think we need to work with our employers – not against them compulsory vaccination,” said Weingarten, who estimates that about 90% of union members have been vaccinated.
Dr. Francis Collins, President of the National Institutes of Health, was a loyal supporter of the vaccine injunction on Sunday. He told ABC’s “This Week”, “When I see companies decide that they will mandate their employees to be vaccinated, I will celebrate. Yes Yes, I think we should use all public health tools at our disposal when people die.”