A U. S. Air Force sergeantreceives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Osan Air Base in December 2020 in South Korea. Photo: United States Forces Korea Getty Images
The Pentagon on Tuesday canceled its COVID-19 vaccination mandate and is giving commanders some discretion to deploy unvaccinated troops, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, received via AP.
Why it matters: This resolution may allow the Pentagon to build records without having to withdraw troops for noncompliance.
Background: Last month, Congress used its annual defense policy bill to leave the mandate a year after it took effect, and some Republican governors and members of Congress said it’s unfair to force troops to either get vaccinated or, in all likelihood, be expelled from the country. military.
What they say: “The Department will continue to publicize and inspire COVID-19 vaccination for all service members,” Austin said in the memo.
Commanders will have some discretion in deciding whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated, “even when vaccination is required or a foreign country is entered,” the memo says.
Background: In August 2021, Austin announced that all troops must be vaccinated against the coronavirus or face deportation.
According to the numbers: More than 11,500 members of the military, army national guard and army reserve refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 last month.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with other main points throughout.