All area DOD Civilian Employees must get vaccinated

The Pentagon is requiring that all civilian employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22nd – a move affecting more than 700,000 individuals. The Pentagon had previously ordered all 1.3 million active-duty service members to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. To date, over 93% have received at least one dose. A memo signed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks now directs civilian employees to also become vaccinated. “All DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021, subject to exemptions as required by law,” Hicks wrote, noting that employees are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, like Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna, or two weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson. “New DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by their entry on duty (start) date of November 22, 2021, whichever is later,” Hicks wrote. In the memo, Hicks said those who are not currently fully vaccinated must meet several deadlines. For those receiving their first dose of Moderna, individuals have until October 11th to do so, with those receiving Pfizer having until October 18th. Hicks said individuals must receive their second doses of either Moderna or Pfizer by November 8th. Civilian employees have until November 8th to receive their only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.