On the 10th, the US Department of Defense abolished the policy of obligatory vaccination against the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in the US military.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a memorandum on this day and said, “We withdraw the policy of obligatory vaccination of the US military against Corona 19, announced on August 24, 2021.”
Secretary Austin’s announcement follows the fact that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains the 2023 fiscal year security and defense budget, was signed by President Joe Biden on December 23 last year and implemented.
This bill includes a clause that withdraws the policy of obligatory vaccination against Corona 19 by the US military, including about 1.3 million active-duty troops and about 800,000 members of the National Guard and reserve forces.
In August 2021, when the spread of Corona 19 lasted, Minister Austin first mandated the vaccination of U.S. soldiers and issued a policy to expel them from the military if they refused to do so, but with the passage of this NDAA, it had to be withdrawn within 30 days.
While officializing the abolition of the policy that day, Secretary Austin said, “The Department of Defense will continue to promote and encourage vaccination against Corona 19 for all service members.”
At the same time, he said, “military commanders can consider whether soldiers are vaccinated or not when making decisions related to military operations, such as dispatching overseas and assigning missions.”
The Associated Press explained that Secretary Austin gave each commanding officer discretion over vaccination.
“Vaccination enhances operational readiness and protects U.S. troops,” said Secretary Austin.
In the United States, 99% of active-duty service members in the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps have been vaccinated so far, and 98% in the Army have been vaccinated.
The AP quoted a U.S. lawmaker and said that recruiting is expected to regain some vitality with the abolition of mandatory vaccination, which has been an obstacle to recruiting.