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4 Air Power Academy cadets might not graduate or be commissioned as army officers this month, and might be compelled to pay again 1000’s in tuition, after they refused to get vaccinated in opposition to the coronavirus, Air Power officers mentioned.
The Air Power Academy is the one army academy up to now to announce penalties for a failure to get vaccinated. The Military and Navy mentioned their seniors are usually not being barred from this month’s commencement over their vaccination standing.
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Air Power Academy spokesman Lt. Col. Brian Maguire mentioned the commencement is 2 weeks away and that the cadets nonetheless have time to “weigh their choices.” There are additionally two juniors, one sophomore and 6 freshmen on the academy to have refused the COVID vaccine.
Final 12 months, the Pentagon introduced a vaccine mandate for service members, together with for these at army academies. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned the vaccine is essential to the army’s well being and readiness.
“To defend this Nation, we’d like a wholesome and prepared drive,” Austin wrote in an August memo. “After cautious session with medical consultants and army management, and with the help of the President, I’ve decided that necessary vaccination in opposition to coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) is important to guard the Power and defend the American individuals.”
Army leaders have mentioned service members have lengthy been required to get a variety of different vaccines to make sure the well being of the drive. College students on the army academies who are usually not already vaccinated obtain a number of pictures on their first day, together with pictures for measles, mumps and Rubella, they usually get annual flu pictures within the fall.
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The army’s vaccine exemption evaluations have been questioned by members of Congress, the army and the general public relating to the equity of the evaluations.
There have additionally been a number of lawsuits filed over opposition to the vaccine mandate, with the primary focus being the truth that only a few non secular exemptions had been granted.
The army academies have required college students to repay tuition prices below sure circumstances up to now in the event that they depart throughout their junior or senior 12 months. These situations usually contain college students with disciplinary points. A last choice on reimbursement is made by the service secretary.
The Marine Corps, Navy, Military and Air Power have discharged practically 4,000 energetic responsibility service members over their refusal to get vaccinated. Current knowledge launched by the providers exhibits that greater than 2,100 Marines, 900 sailors, 500 Military troopers and 360 airmen have been discharged. At the least 50 service members had been discharged throughout entry degree coaching.
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Service members who’ve refused the vaccine with out searching for an exemption are nonetheless being discharged whereas the discharges of these concerned in lawsuits are held up amid the authorized battles.
The army has mentioned that as many as 20,000 service members have requested a non secular exemption, and that 1000’s of such functions have been denied.
About 99% of the energetic responsibility Navy and 98% of the Air Power, Marine Corps and Military have acquired at the least one dose of the vaccine.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
Supply: Fox News
