COVID-19 Vaccine Deadline Approaches for Active-Duty Military Members – NBC 7 San Diego

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U.S. service members are nearing their deadline for full vaccination. Each branch of the military has set its own deadline.

The U.S. Air Force deadline for active Airmen was November 2 and December 2 for reservists and the National Guard.

The Navy’s deadline is November 28th for active Sailors and Marines, while the date for reservists is December 28th.

The army set a deadline of December 15 for all active service members.

Service members are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last shot, meaning the deadline for active sailors ends November 14th.

“What the secretary has told the military is to obviously conduct this mandatory vaccination program with skill and professionalism, which we always do, but also with a measure of compassion,” said Defense Department press secretary John Kirby.

Service members must either be vaccinated, obtain a medical exemption, or a religious exemption.

“You can of course request a religious exemption for a member who still has objections, and you can certainly be exempted if you have a pre-existing medical condition that your doctor would advise against,” said Kirby.

According to the Navy, only six permanent medical exemptions have been approved to date, and no religious exemption applications have been accepted as of now.

According to the Navy, 96% of sailors on active duty are vaccinated.

The rest of the service members who are not vaccinated and who refuse to get the vaccination could face transfers, travel restrictions, or a retirement decision.

“In the past, that wasn’t a problem with other vaccines. Now I realize that COVID has a different history and a different cultural attribution. But it is a lawful order and we expect the troops to obey lawful orders, ”Kirby said.

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