The United States Navy has finally lifted its COVID-19 vaccination requirement for deployment. After over a year of requiring vaccinations… the Navy announced that it would no longer require individuals to be vaccinated… to be considered for deployment.
COVID Vaccine No Longer Needed for US Navy Deployment
The decision is expected to be welcomed by:
- Many sailors who were hesitant to take the vaccine
- Those who opposed the Navy’s vaccine mandate
The vaccine mandate had been controversial. Particularly with Republican opponents who doubted the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety… despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reassurances.
While the military requires many other vaccines, such as the annual flu vaccine… the COVID-19 vaccine became another mandatory vaccination step to be deployed.
The Supreme Court ruled in March 2022 that the Navy was allowed to authorize the vaccine mandate. Sailors filed several lawsuits—especially those who disapproved of the Navy’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
Despite the drop in the vaccine mandate for deployment, commanders at all levels have been directed to balance operational employment… with the health and safety of their units under the current Force Health Protection Guidance.
Sailors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 might still be restricted… in certain countries with COVID-19 restrictions. Moreover, all commanders must abide by domestic and foreign quarantine and COVID-19 requirements.
Some have celebrated this decision. However, the Navy has not yet announced whether sailors who were dropped due to COVID-19 vaccine refusal… will be returned to service. Overall, this move marks a significant development, specifically in the ongoing conversation about vaccine mandates in the United States military.
Navy Lifts Deployment Restrictions on Unvaccinated Sailors
The US Navy has announced that sailors’ COVID-19 vaccination status will no longer be considered… when deciding on their deployment. This new guidance reverses a previous policy that had been in place for over a year.
The change comes after a Congressional action removed the requirement. This is to consider vaccination status as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
The new guidance clarifies that commanders should seek medical advice to assess personnel readiness… for deployment and operational missions. COVID-19 vaccination status will not be a factor in determining individual service member suitability for deployment. This change aligns the Navy with guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
However, sailors who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 may face restrictions on liberty in countries with COVID-19 restrictions. In such cases, the Navy Component Commanders may authorize commanders to state that their unit is 100% vaccinated… or that disembarking sailors have tested negative or received a COVID-19 vaccine booster.
The new guidance also does not require reporting individual COVID-19 cases. However, reporting any evacuations, hospitalizations, or deaths due to infectious diseases involves reporting. The change in policy aims to balance operational employment with the health and safety of the sailors… by the current Force Health Protection Guidance.
YA,THEY FINALLY ( WOKE ) UP AND REALIZED THEY NEED WARM BODIES TLO FIGHT ANY WAR THAT MAY BE COMING DOWN THE ROAD. DESPITE THE PEOPLE NOT AGREEING TO TAKE THEIR CLOT SHOT. CAN’T KILL THEM WITH THAT MAYBE COMBAT CAN THIN THE POPULATION OUT. LORD KNOWS IT WON’T BE ANY OF THEM GOING TO WAR, THEY ARE ALL REMF’S IF THEY GO AT ALL.