DOD wants all civilians vaccinated by Nov. 22

The Defense Department is mandating all civilian employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 22.

“Employees are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said in a new DOD-wide memo.

The Pentagon earlier this year mandated the vaccine for all members of the U.S. military and each service has set its own deadline, with none going beyond late December, except for Army reservists and National Guard members, who have until June 30, 2022.

Hicks’ memo notes a previous COVID-19 infection does not exempt DOD civilians from mandatory vaccination.

“To defend the nation and protect the American people, we need a healthy and ready Total Force,” the memo states. “Vaccinating DOD civilian employees against COVID-19 will save lives and allow for the defense of our nation.”