![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/vaccine3-500x333.jpg\")
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Big Army has notified Army commands to prepare to provide mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. This is expected to become a reality when the Food and Drug Administration fully approves the COVID-19 vaccinations. Some believe that this could happen as early as September 1, 2021.<\/p>\n
Until that full approval is received, the coronavirus vaccinations are optional. Service members, and employees required by their employers to have certain vaccinations, can refuse the vaccinations and get away from consequences. Mostly.<\/p>\n
From the Army Times:<\/span><\/p>\n “Commanders will continue COVID-19 vaccination operations and prepare for a directive to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for service members [on or around] 01 September 2021, pending full FDA licensure,” the order said. “Commands will be prepared to provide a backbrief on servicemember vaccination status and way ahead for completion once the vaccine is mandated.”<\/p>\n “As a matter of policy we do not comment on leaked documents. The vaccine continues to be voluntary,” said Maj. Jackie Wren, an Army spokesperson. “If we are directed by DoD to change our posture, we are prepared to do so.”<\/p>\n The Pentagon has not put out any guidance to the services to prepare for a mandatory vaccine roll-out in September, a defense official separately told Army Times.<\/p>\n It was not immediately clear whether the vaccines would even be approved in time for a Sept. 1 mandatory rollout. And an FDA spokesperson did not have an exact timeline available.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Army Times has more on the story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"