Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all active-duty troops in the coming days, a far-reaching decision that reflects the government’s ongoing concern over the spread of the delta variant, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The decision could come by Friday, and may require a presidential waiver to allow the vaccine to be administered to troops before it has full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines are currently being used under the agency’s emergency use authorization mandate, although at least one vaccine is expected to get full approval by early next month.
The president said at the time that vaccines remained the best method to prevent severe cases of COVID-19, as well as death associated with the disease.
“There’s nothing political about it,†Biden said.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
