US Air Force Grants 9 Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate While Over 3,000 Requests Rejected

A U.S. Air Force staff sergeant handles a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in Massachusetts on Feb. 16, 2021. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

The Air Force on Tuesday said it has approved nine religious exemptions from taking the COVID-19 vaccine, while more than 3,000 requests have been rejected so far.

According to data from the Air Force, eight of the exemptions to the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate were granted after being submitted, and a further religious exemption was approved after an appeal.