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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a memo and said he will ask the president to approve the Covid-19 vaccine a requirement by mid-September. He said, “I have every confidence that Service leadership and your commanders will implement this new vaccination program with professionalism, skill, and compassion”. Austin said he will need the president’s approval to make the vaccine mandatory either by mid-September or immediately upon the FDA’s formal authorization. However, 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. President Biden said in a statement that he strongly supports the decision of Austin.

President Joe Biden also said, “I am proud that our military women and men will continue to help lead the charge in the fight against this pandemic, as they so often do, by setting the example of keeping their fellow Americans safe”. Biden asked Austin in July to look into when and how to make the vaccine mandatory. Point to be noted that the FDA approval of Pfizer’s vaccine may be inching closer in the next few weeks. The increased danger of the highly contagious Delta variant has prompted action. Last month, the US Department of Defense also issued a statement following Biden’s speech.

The Defense Department said Austin would consult with medical professionals and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to determine how and when to make recommendations to the president to require the Covid-19 vaccines. The Department has since the beginning of the Biden administration urged personnel to receive a vaccine and continues to do so. Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Jamal Brown issued a statement and said, “Vaccines remain the best and most effective way to prevent the spread of Covid, including the Delta variant”. It is noteworthy that at least 74% of active-duty personnel are partially vaccinated and 65% are fully vaccinated.