The Pentagon on Tuesday repealed the obligation for the US military to be vaccinated against Covid-19, after being forced to do so by Congress. This health restriction, one of the last major ones still in force in the United States, had caused the departure of more than 8,000 people from the ranks of the US army, according to the Pentagon.
Lloyd Austin, the defense secretary, wrote in the memo ending the provision that he was “particularly proud” of his department’s action in fighting the virus. He also indicates that the Pentagon will continue to promote vaccination.
Does recruiting hurt?
The text does not mention a possible return to the troops of the soldiers fired for non-vaccination.
Congress had adopted on December 15, in a text dedicated to the army budget, a provision that asked the Ministry of Defense to revoke this vaccination obligation. Its purpose, according to the Pentagon, was to protect the health and optimal readiness of the US military.
Kevin McCarthy, then leader of the Republicans in the House, had assured that the obligation had undermined the recruitment of the army, responding to the Pentagon that it had no data to confirm this.
Source: BFM TV
