The Air Force will soon have the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available after the U.S Food and Drug Administration authorized it for emergency use and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed it as another primary series option for adults ages 18 years and older.
The Air Force Installation Contracting Center is overseeing the execution of billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief, with a recent contract award providing critical materials used in the production of rapid, point-of-care COVID-19 test kits.
“We strongly encourage all Airmen, Guardians, and DAF federal employees to receive a booster to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities – that means getting a booster,” said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz-Jones. “The four-hour authorized time may be applied retroactively for those who have already received the booster.”
Each request is individually reviewed by Religious Resolution Teams at the wing, garrison, major command and field command levels, which are made up of chaplains, medical providers, judge advocates, and other subject matter experts.
The Department of the Air Force released its policy today outlining the way forward for Total Force military members serving in the Air Force and Space Force who have requested separation or retirement prior to Nov. 2, 2021, or whose COVID-19 medical exemption or religious accommodation was denied.
This final deadline for Department of the Air Force service members to be fully vaccinated resulted in more than 95% of the total force having at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Nearly 97% of Airmen and Guardians on active duty have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Any active-component Airman or Guardian who has refused to obtain a qualifying vaccine by Nov. 2 and has not received, or, is not in the process of seeking, a medical exemption or religious accommodation will be in violation of a lawful order and subject to discipline under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The U.S. Air Force led the largest NEO in U.S. history — in 17 days the DoD evacuated approximately 124,000 people, including 6,000 Americans.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work.
