More than 100 Marines discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines
Majority of active-duty troops in the United States Army are now vaccinated against the coronavirus. But there are still a few thousand service members who are not vaccinated and those still refusing shots will soon be dismissed from the military. The Army deadline for vaccination was December 15.
Active Army achieves 98 percent vaccination rate
As many as 468,459 active-duty soldiers, or 98 percent, have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. The Navy has jabbed 342,974 members, with approximately 1.7 percent still unvaccinated. Vaccinations are mandatory for service members soon after the Food and Drug Administration fully approved the vaccine.
The vaccination process is seen as a readiness issue in the military. If service members are medically eligible to receive the vaccines, “it’s the best way to protect themselves and their units,” Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said. “That’s the readiness concern with getting the vaccine vaccination rate as close to 100 percent as possible.”
Military to discharge troops who refuse COVID-19 vaccine
Around 20,000 unvaccinated forces at risk of being removed from service. The Marine Corps has discharged 103 Marines so far for refusing the vaccine.
The U.S. Air Force has recently discharged 27 service members for refusing the vaccine. The Army may begin discharging those who refuse next month. The Navy has laid out its new discipline procedure and has already fired one sailor from his command job for refusing to be tested.
Kirby said vaccinations may be a political issue in society, but it is not in the United States military. “We’re looking at it from the science, and we’re looking at it from the readiness perspective,” the press secretary said.
