The Department of Defense announced an end to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemen and servicewomen.
In a memo posted on the department’s website, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the policy change in accordance with a new law. He added that all soldiers who had received reprimands or punishments over their refusal to take the vaccine would be cleared and have it expunged from their record.
PENTAGON PAUSES ACTIONS ‘RELATED TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE’ FOLLOWING NDAA
“No individuals currently serving in the Armed Forces shall be separated solely on the basis of their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination if they sought an accommodation on religious, administrative, or medical grounds,” Austin wrote.
“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. The Secretaries of the Military Departments will further cease any ongoing reviews of current Service member religious, administrative, or medical accommodation requests solely for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine or appeals of denials of such requests,” he continued.
Austin stressed that he was proud of the military’s efforts to get its members vaccinated and noted that 96% of personnel are fully vaccinated.
The vaccine mandate, which Austin had initiated in August 2021, was reversed following the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act. The Pentagon signaled last week that it would comply with the new law and rescind the mandate.
“The NDAA requires that, not later than 30 days after enactment, the secretary of defense rescind the mandate that members of the armed forces be vaccinated against COVID-19,” Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman, a DOD spokeswoman, told the Washington Examiner on Thursday. “As a result, the department will rescind the mandate and is currently in the process of developing further guidance. During this process, we are pausing all actions related to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.”
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Roughly 8,400 soldiers have been disciplined over their refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
