About half of the 10,000 active duty Air Force airmen and Space Force guardians not vaccinated for COVID-19 are seeking religious exemptions, and 800 verbally refused the vaccine, according to Air Force data released Wednesday.
The Air Force’s and Space Force’s COVID-19 vaccination compliance deadline was Tuesday for active duty troops. According to data obtained by VOA, 97% of active duty airmen and guardians have had at least one vaccine dose, with 95% fully vaccinated.
“Our airmen need to be prepared to operate anytime, anywhere in the world,” General C.Q. Brown, Air Force chief of staff, said Wednesday. “Getting vaccinated ensures we are a ready force.”