Over the past few years, there have been over 650 million known Coronavirus cases.
It has changed the way our world has functioned, from governments to businesses to the homes of private citizens. The US military is no different. Like many other organizations, the US military required a vaccine mandate for members of the military.
However, this mandate has been rescinded recently. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the military vaccine mandate news.
Keep reading to learn more.
Military Vaccine Mandate News
In early December, the Senate voted to pass a bill that authorized $858 billion in national defense funding. It also rescinded the U.S. military’s Covid vaccine mandate.
After passing through the Senate, the final step is for President Joe Biden to sign the bill. The House already approved it as an agreement for the National Defense Authorization Act. This act determined the policy agenda and authorized further funding for the Department of Defense.
The Senate passed this bill with a vote of 83-11. It received Senate-wide bipartisan support from the House as well.
As part of the massive $858 billion bill for national defense funding, it also authorizes $817 specifically for the Department of Defense. It includes several provisions, including:
- A 4.6% pay raise for members of the military service
- Strengthening land warfare and air power defense capabilities
- Furthering cybersecurity
- Bolstering support for NATO and Ukraine
The order to rescind the military vaccines mandate took place after Republicans in Congress pushed for it. Kevin McCarthy, the House GOP leader, stated: “the end of President Biden’s military COVID vaccine mandate is a victory for our military and for common sense.”
History of the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, members of Congress and the Department of Defense implemented several protective measures to keep military health a top priority and to minimize any threats to military operations.
Many of these measures mirrored the recommended protective measures of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that went out to the general public.
By mid-August of 2021, the Secretary of Defense issued a message that he planned to require vaccinations for all military members. Almost immediately after the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, he ordered vaccine mandates for all military personnel.
This included all active duty and military reserve members.
History of Other Health Mandates In the Military
The COVID-19 pandemic is hardly the first time that health mandates have been issued for the military.
During the Revolutionary War, smallpox decimated large parts of the Native American population as well as the US army. John Adams even wrote, “The smallpox is ten times more terrible than the British, Canadians, and Indians together.” Inoculation was ordered by George Washington.
During the Spanish-American War, US troops suffered from Yellow Fever in Panama. The Surgeon General of the US Army worked hard to find a vaccine to cure it and eventually won a Nobel Prize for his efforts.
After World War II, several military members were found with adenovirus, which had symptoms similar to the flu. A vaccine mandate was ordered three years later.
Stay Up To Date With Military News
That’s everything you need to know about the military vaccine mandate news. There are always new developments in the military world. If you’d like to stay updated on all things military, make sure to check out our other articles.