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The Pentagon on Tuesday issued guidelines on how members of the service could request a religious exemption instead of being vaccinated against the coronavirus.
By mid-September, all active-duty forces in the military will need to have their arms vaccinated against the coronavirus, as cases continue to rise nationwide.
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE REQUEST A COVID VACCINE FOR THE US ARMY BY SEPT. 15
“There is a possibility of religious exemption for any compulsory vaccine, and there is a process that we follow to advise the individual both from a medical point of view and from a command’s point of view on the use of the vaccine. ‘a religious exemption,’ Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Tuesday.
Kirby said members of the military service who wish to seek an exemption will need to be counseled by a medical professional and a commander on the risks of not receiving the vaccine.
Additionally, they will discuss how the decision might affect their deployability, travel, or even assignments, although application processes differ at each branch.
“We take freedom of religion and worship seriously, in the military, it’s one of the things we are committed to standing up for,” Kirby said. “And so this is something that is done very carefully.”
Exemptions for pre-existing medical conditions will also be allowed, although these will be identified by a medical professional.
Kirby also said that any member of the service who is hesitant to receive the vaccine will receive advice on its safety and effectiveness.
“We expect that once vaccines are made compulsory, the troops will … do the right thing,” he said. “Going forward with this particular vaccine, the secretary expects commanders to treat the administration of this vaccine with – as he wrote in his memo – professionalism, skill and compassion. “
Kirby’s comments come just a day after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin officially announced that all military personnel who are not already vaccinated will need to receive the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine by September 15.
Austin said the mandatory vaccinations could be enforced sooner if the Food and Drug Administration approves any of the vaccines by mid-September.
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More than 74% of the members of the Navy received the vaccine. But other branches have fallen behind.
The Air Force reported an immunization rate of 65 percent, while the military reported that 50 percent of its service personnel received at least one bullet in the arm.
Ronn Blitzer, Lucas Y. Tomlinson contributed to this report.
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