Skip to main content

Military Health System

Secretary of Defense Mandates COVID-19 Vaccinations for Service Members

Image of An Army medic administers the COVID-19 vaccine to another soldier. An Army medic administers the COVID-19 vaccine to another soldier.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

The Secretary has determined - after careful consultation with medical experts and military leaders and with the support of the president - that mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for service members are necessary to protect the health and readiness of the force, Kirby said. 

On Aug. 23, the FDA gave full approval to the Comirnaty vaccine - previously known as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine - for individuals 16 years of age and older. Before Aug. 23, the vaccine was available for use through and FDA emergency use authorization. 

Kirby said vaccines other than Cominaty will not be made mandatory, but that could change if the FDA issues full approval for others. 

The memo directed the secretaries of the military departments to immediately begin full vaccination of all members of the department on active duty or in the Guard or Reserve, who aren't yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Service members who are actively participating in COVID-19 clinical trials are exempt from mandatory vaccination until the trial is complete to avoid invalidating clinical trial results, the memo states. 

Military personnel administering the COVID-19 vaccine
Army Spec. Dorien Lewis, a combat medic with Division Sustainment Troops Battalion MEDOPS, 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, administers the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to an Army soldier at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Aug. 17, 2021. Medics across Camp Arifjan held a COVID-19 vaccine drive for personnel that are not fully vaccinated (Photo by: Army Sgt. Marquis Hopkins). 

The secretaries are also directed to "impose ambitious timelines for implementation and to report regularly on vaccination completion using establishment systems for other mandatory vaccine reporting," the memo states. 

"The secretary has communicated to the military department to execute this mandatory vaccination program with, obviously, skill and professionalism, which we also do, but also with a measure of compassion," Kirby said. 

Service members with preexisting conditions who are advised against being vaccinated by their doctors would be exempt from mandatory vaccinations, Kirby said, adding their may also be possible exemptions on religious grounds. 

Service members outside those two categories who still object will be offered a chance to sit down with a physician and have that physician communicate to them the risks that they're taking by being unvaccinated, Kirby said. 

They'll also be offered a chance to sit down with those in their chains of command to talk about the risks that their objection will impose on the unit and on the fore on their teammates, he added. 

"Commanders have a wide range of tools available to them to help their teammates make the right decision for themselves, for the families, for their units, and the secreatroy expects that they commanders will use those tools, short of having to use the UCMJ," he said,  referring to the Uniform COVID of Military Justice. 

You also may be interested in...

Printable VAX Fact Who Can Get the Vaccine Now?

Publication
2/12/2021

This is a printable version of the VAX Fact graphic

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

Printable VAX Fact Should Children Get the COVID Vaccine?

Publication
2/12/2021

This is a printable version of the VAX Fact graphic

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

Printable VAX Fact Will TRICARE Cover the COVID Vaccine?

Publication
2/12/2021

This is a printable version of the VAX Fact graphic

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

DHA IT helps beneficiaries, providers and workforce through pandemic

Article
2/12/2021
Several military personnel, wearing masks, filling out paperwork. One woman is giving the thumbs up sign

DHA IT Teams Deliver Innovative Solutions During Pandemic.

Recommended Content:

Health Care Technology | Coronavirus & the MHS Response

MHS Minute: A Path Forward in 2021

Video
2/10/2021
MHS Minute A Path Forward in 2021

Want to know more about what MHS organizations and partners did in 2020? For a full look at the MHS Minute series, click here: https://shorturl.at/eDL14

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

COVID-19 vaccinations reaching smaller clinics, facilities

Article
2/10/2021
Military healthcare worker holding a vaccine needle

The pace of vaccinations should accelerate as the FDA approves newer vaccines for use.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

DOD Announces Use of Masks, Other Public Health Measures

Article
2/9/2021
Woman wearing a mask

Department of Defense updates the use of masks requirements to align to the most current CDC guidelines.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine rollout ongoing in U.S. Army Central footprint

Article
2/9/2021
Two healthcare workers, wearing masks, adding the COVID-19 vaccine to syringes

The COVID-19 vaccination program in the U.S. Army Central’s area of operations is underway.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Military, medical leaders discuss COVID-19 issues with Service Members

Article
2/8/2021
Mr. and Mrs. Milley, wearing masks, standing in front of various flags.

Fauci said it is impossible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine, and it will "absolutely not" enter into a person's DNA.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

DOD COVID-19 vaccine roll-out continues, eye on long-term readiness

Article
2/4/2021
Soldier getting a vaccine in his left arm

The impact of the COVID-19 vaccines on military readiness is unknown, but members are encouraged to get the shots as soon as they become available.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Weed ACH moves one step closer to phase 2 of COVID vaccine plan

Article
2/4/2021
Image of soldier getting a vaccine in her left arm

More and more individuals eligible under phase 1 continue to opt in to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, including those who previously had the disease.

Recommended Content:

COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

Blood donations remain vital for Service Member care

Article
2/3/2021
Man walking with assistance at a PT clinic

Putting a human face on the act of giving blood could help drive blood donations. And first-tme donors often become sustaining donors.

Recommended Content:

Heart Health Toolkit | Coronavirus & the MHS Response

Eliminating the pandemic - one shot at a time

Article
2/3/2021
Tom Danaher was one of approximately several hundred 75 years and older beneficiaries who were administered their initial dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

NHB / NMRTC Bremerton moves forward with the phased approach of the COVID-19 vaccines

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Innovative mobile technologies impact DOD health surveillance

Article
2/2/2021
Medical personnel using a syringe to inject a fluid into a test tube

Early detection of infectious diseases in the field to protect the troops.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation | Health Care Technology

DOD experts explain: The science behind the COVID-19 vaccines

Article
2/1/2021
Medical personnel in PPE, conducting lab tests

Six weeks after the first vaccines were approved for emergency use authorization in the U.S., there is much more to know about the vaccine products developed against COVID-19.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts
<< < ... 21 22 23 24 25  ... > >> 
Showing results 301 - 315 Page 21 of 31
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 25, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery