US moves to mandate Covid-19 vaccine for active duty military members

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of DefenseLloyd Austinis moving to have all active duty members of the US military vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, he said in a memo released Monday, CNN reported.

"I want you to know that I will seek the President's approval to make the vaccines mandatory no later than mid-September, or immediately upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensure, whichever comes first," Austin said in the memo. "By way of expectation, public reporting suggests the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine could achievefull FDA licenseearly next month."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley had also communicated a related message to the troops, saying ina memothat the "health and readiness of our force is critical to America's defense."

US President Joe Biden said in a statement Monday that he supports Austin's message to the force and plans to make the Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for all active duty military members.