Over 12,000 active-duty Air Force personnel are poised not meet an upcoming deadline to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, according to newly released data from the military branch.
In a new update on compliance with the Air Force’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, officials said 3.8 percent of the force remains unvaccinated as of Oct. 18.
That amounts to approximately 12,100 active-duty personnel, down from 13,055 the week prior, according to an Epoch Times analysis of Air Force data.
Fully vaccinated means an airman must get the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna jab, or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, no later than two weeks before the Nov. 2 mandate deadline.
The mandate details were announced by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on Sept. 3 under the direction of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Since then, the vast majority of the force has gotten at least one shot of a vaccine.
Some 92 percent are fully vaccinated, while another 4.2 percent are partially vaccinated, a term that means they’ve gotten one of the two Moderna or Pfizer doses.
But that leaves over 12,000 unvaccinated and at risk of being discharged for noncompliance with the order if they don’t secure a religious or medical exemption.
Space Force personnel are counted with reserve troops. Approximately 92.8 percent of reserves and Space Force personnel have gotten at least one shot as of Oct. 18.
The Air Force has declined to say whether any exemptions have yet been granted, though a spokeswoman told The Epoch Times via email that they do have the option to apply.
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Nor should they...they have a choice as long as we all stick together on this!