1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i The Militarys COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Updated November 8, 2021 Since the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Members of Congress have expressed interest in Force Health Protection (FHP) measures
2、 the Department of Defense (DOD) might implement to protect servicemembers and mitigate pandemic-related threats to military operations. DOD has implemented a variety of conditions-based FHP measures that mirror the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommended protective measures, to
3、 limit the spread of COVID-19 among military personnel. On August 9, 2021, the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) issued a Message to the Force indicating his intent to require COVID-19 vaccination for servicemembers “no later than mid-September, or immediately upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
4、(FDA) licensure of a COVID-19 vaccine, whichever comes first.” On August 23, 2021, the FDA approved the licensing application for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 16 years and older. The vaccine, marketed as Comirnaty, is also available to individuals aged 12 through 15 year