Almost 40% of Marines reported refusing COVID-19 vaccinations

Approximately 75,500 Marines received vaccines, including those now fully and partially vaccinated, according to the service level data obtained by the network.

Almost 48,000 sailors chose not to receive the vaccines (38.9%). According to CNN, another 102,000 Marines have not yet received the vaccines.

Sailors are the first military branch to reveal vaccination rates. But the military estimates that two-thirds of service members will decide on vaccination – a rate of 66 percent, compared to an acceptance rate of 61 percent so far for Marines.

It is not clear why vaccinations were refused. Authorities speculate that some may wait for those most at risk to receive the vaccines first or wait for availability elsewhere, rather than through the military, according to CNN. Other reluctance could be related to safety concerns about the speed with which vaccines have developed or the fears that scientists say are unfounded about possible long-term effects.

“We fully understand that the widespread acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine gives us the best means to overcome the pandemic. The key to tackling the pandemic is to strengthen confidence in vaccines, “Navy Corps spokeswoman Colonel Kelly Frushour told CNN in a statement.

Marine officials are addressing service members to encourage them to receive the vaccine.

“The Navy and Marine Corps generally provide substantial educational information and work with commands to ensure that Marines, sailors and beneficiaries have accurate information on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to encourage people to become immunized,” the Navy spokesman said. , Captain Andrew Wood said in a statement to The Hill.

The military still cannot make vaccines mandatory, as vaccinations have been given emergency use authorization only by the Food and Drug Administration, and service members have the option to refuse them.

The Department of Defense has approximately 2.2 million members of the service operating worldwide. Too low a vaccine acceptance rate could affect “strength training,” CNN said.

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