Covid-19: As Pfizer gets approval, US military to mandate vax for personnel

A Los Angeles County emergency medical technician, gives a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to a teen, at a vaccine clinic in the Arleta neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, on Monday. Pic/AFP

The US Department of Defence (DOD) said on Monday that it is moving to mandate COVID-19 vaccine for all military service members, following the full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine announced earlier in the day by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a press conference that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is "prepared to issue updated guidance requiring all service members to be vaccinated," adding that the move aims "to ensure the safety of our service members and promote the readiness of our force", Xinhua news agency reported.

A timeline for when troops must receive the shot will be provided in the coming days, according to Kirby, who previously said that once the vaccine mandate takes effect, "there could be administrative and disciplinary repercussions" for those who fail to receive it.

Earlier on Monday, the FDA granted its full approval to the Pfizer vaccine - which previously was authorised only for emergency use.

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