The military that gives literally 100 of shots to an individual has stated unless fully approved. By the FDA they will not force this vaccination as part of the process.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - The U.S. military has so far kept its coronavirus numbers relatively low, thanks in part to strict discipline and the ability to easily enforce social distancing rules. However, as the Pentagon rolls out COVID-19 vaccines at its bases around the world, it is dealing with the challenge of how to convince service members to voluntarily take the vaccine.
Pentagon leaders say they will not require their personnel to take the vaccine until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives its full approval of the drug. So far, the FDA has only given emergency authorization that allowed for the initial distribution of the vaccine. It could be up to two years before the full approval comes, military officials have told VOA.
That provides an unusual obstacle for the U.S. military, which has been able to effectively combat the virus with more forceful tools not available to civilian authorities, including the ability to strictly control access to the base and what activities are allowed there, and to punish those who break the rules.
“This [vaccine effort] is an interesting situation in that it is voluntary," Col. Doug Lougee, the lead medical officer for U.S. Forces Korea, which began vaccines last month, told VOA.
"Here in the military, especially the Army, we're not used to telling people to volunteer or asking them to volunteer for things like this," he said
Hot Forum Topics
