Navy grants first religious vaccine exemption, while Marines grant a handful more

Published February 17, 2022 9:56pm ET



The Navy has become the third U.S. military service branch to grant a religious exemption for the coronavirus vaccine, though the approval rate for such requests remains a fraction of 1%.

One sailor in the Individual Ready Reserve had a religious exemption conditionally approved, though this person will need to get fully vaccinated if they’re called up to active-duty or reserve status, according to a Navy release. Additionally, the Marines have now granted six religious exemptions after having received 3,595 requests, which marks a 0.16% approval rate, according to a Thursday press release, though the number of approvals was three in the branch’s last update.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.