Coronavirus Update: Defense Department Will Require Vaccines Starting Nov. 22

The Defense Department is requiring all 700,000 civilian employees to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 by no later than Nov. 22.

Those getting the Pfizer vaccine must receive their first dose by Oct. 18 and their second dose by Nov. 8. Those getting the Moderna vaccine must receive their first dose by Oct. 11 and their second dose by Nov. 8. Those receiving the one-time Johnson & Johnson shot have until Nov. 8.

The Pentagon previously ordered all 1.3 million military personnel to be vaccinated against the virus, over 93% of military personnel have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

"All DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021, subject to exemptions as required by law," the Defense Department statement read.

"New DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by their entry on duty start date or November 22, 2021, whichever is later. "

The mandate falls in line with the Biden administration’s move to require all federal employees to get vaccinated

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., says the move “will save lives and further protect communities across the United States from this deadly virus,” applauding it as “the right decision for our public health and our national security.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Aug. 24 said all service members should begin getting vaccinated. Active-duty soldiers have until Dec. 15 to become fully vaccinated, and Reserve and National Guard units have until June 30, 2022, the Army announced Sept. 14.

More than 372,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported by defense personnel, with 67,000 being civilians. About 1,931 civilians have been hospitalized and 321 have died, according to Pentagon data.