Military weighing mandatory COVID-19 vaccine after full FDA approval

[nitpicker]

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/07/06/military-weighing-mandatory-covid-19-vaccine-after-full-fda-approval/

Military weighing mandatory COVID-19 vaccine after full FDA approval

Davis Winkie
7 hours ago

Defense Department senior leaders have had “preliminary discussions” about making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all U.S. troops once the vaccines receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said during a Tuesday afternoon press briefing.

Kirby was adamant that the vaccine remains voluntary — for now.

“Right now it’s being used under Emergency Use Authorization, which makes it a voluntary vaccine,” he said. “Should the FDA approve it, then I am certain that Pentagon leadership will take a look at what our options are going forward, including the potential option of making mandatory.”

But when a reporter asked him about the Army ordering its commands to prepare for the vaccine to become mandatory in September, Kirby added that the military is already considering its “logical next steps...if and when FDA approval comes in.”
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