08/09/2021

Pentagon: COVID-19 Vaccines Mandatory for Troops by Mid-September

President Biden said he 'strongly' supported the DoD decision

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a memo Monday making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for members military by September 15.  "I have every confidence that Service leadership and your commanders will implement this new vaccination program with professionalism, skill, and compassion," Austin said in the memo.

Austin said he will seek the president's approval to make the vaccine mandatory either by mid-September or immediately upon the FDA's formal authorization, whichever comes first. Vaccines in the military are voluntary when under emergency use authorization by the FDA. The president has the authority to waive the rule and make the vaccine a requirement for personnel.

In a statement, President Biden said he "strongly" supported Austin's decision.

Please select this link to read the complete article from CBS News.