Pentagon Calls for Compassion While Considering Penalties for Unvaccinated Service Members: Spokesperson

Pentagon Calls for Compassion While Considering Penalties for Unvaccinated Service Members: Spokesperson
Spc. Kailee Soares prepares a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during a drive to vaccinate Hawaii National Guardsmen assigned to the COVID-19 task force response on Kauai Island, on Jan. 12, 2021. U.S. Air National Guard /Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called for service commanders to enforce the COVID-19 vaccine mandate with compassion when unvaccinated service members face punitive measures as the deadline approaches, a Pentagon spokesman said on Monday.

According to the latest data issued by the Pentagon, nearly 60,000 active duty service members are still not vaccinated as of late last week. Officials said the numbers change daily and include those who may have gotten or requested an exemption.