What, you think they should take this vaccine because the government tells them to?
What, you think they should take this vaccine because the government tells them to?
Never in the military?
What, you think they should take this vaccine because the government tells them to?
Currently, the military states the COVID-19 vaccine will not be mandatory prior to its full approval by the FDA. That could change.
Here is the way it worked for the Navy with the infamous Swine Flu vaccine at a time when it had already been banned by several states. The Medical Officer rendered his best professional medical opinion that the officers and crew should receive the vaccine. The Executive Officer issued an order that all the officers and crew shall take the vaccine, under penalty of court-martial. The court-martial is to be for disobedience of a lawful order. The Medical Officer bears no responsibility as he only issued his best professional opinion. The Executive Officer only issued an order based on that medical opinion. The disciplinary process would start at Article 15 and escalate as deemed necessary.
For members of the Army: AR 600-20, paragraph 5-4 (Command aspects of medical care), subparagraph (f):
f. Results of medical board proceedings. Results of medical board proceedings.Soldiers must be given the results of the board proceedings and offered the opportunity to accept the prescribed medical care. If the Soldier still refuses, the MTF commander will send the medical board proceedings to HQDA (DASG–HS–AS), 5109 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3258 for review. When refusal to submit to the prescribed medical care is based on religion, TSG will refer the medical board proceedings to the DCS, G–1 for review and an advisory opinion before action.
(1) TSG will either approve or disapprove the medical board proceedings and return them to the MTF commander.
(2) If TSG approves the medical board proceedings, the Soldier is again given the chance to accept treatment. If the Soldier persists in refusing the medical care, the MTF commander refers the matter to the proper Special Court-Martial Convening Authority. Copies of the medical board proceedings are provided. If the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority orders the Soldier to submit to treatment and the Soldier refuses to obey, the commander may take—
(a) Disciplinary action according to MCM.
(b) Administrative action to separate the Soldier from service through retirement, discharge, or other legal means.
If it is deemed medically required, the military has authority to hold one down and administer the vaccination by force. An alternative is to kick one out on an admin discharge.