Coronavirus Updates | Military Times

Pentagon worries repealing COVID vaccine mandate will affect readiness

Democratic House leaders now support the change, which has been a priority for congressional Republicans for months.

18 hours ago

Military COVID-19 vaccine mandate repealed in defense bill compromise

The $858 billion measure also includes a 4.6% pay raise for troops next year and plans to backfill munition stockpiles depleted by the war in Ukraine.

2 days ago

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Gregzon Fontanilla, from Guam, prepares a COVID-19 vaccine aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), May 10, 2022. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malcolm Kelley/Navy)

Veterans

VA, HHS urge veterans to get COVID shots before holiday season

More than 23,000 veterans have died from complications related to COVID-19 infections.

A health care worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Oct. 5, 2021, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Keep COVID-19 military vaccine mandate, defense secretary says

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making clear he wants to keep the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place to protect the health of the troops.

4 days ago

GOP senators threaten to block NDAA over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

They want troops dismissed for refusing the vaccine to get their jobs back and be awarded back pay.

8 days ago

VA study finds Paxlovid may help prevent long COVID-19 problems

The medication helped reduce the chance of long-term health complications by 25%.

4 weeks ago

1st Lt. Colton Fisher, a 33rd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, prepares for flight at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. Oct. 26, 2022. Fisher conducted preflight inspections in a T-6A Texan II, checking the aircraft’s interior for safety discrepancies. (Airman 1st Class Ashley Crist/Air Force)

Air Force’s unvaccinated instructor pilots allowed to resume flying

It is “in the best interest of the Air Force” for instructors to resume their regular flight duties, Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart said in an Oct. 25 memo.

5 weeks ago

VA officials confident they’re ready for the next COVID surge

Coronavirus cases among VA patients are up slightly from October 2021.

7 weeks ago

VA telehealth appointments may complicate vets’ community care options

Department leaders are looking into whether eligibility rules for outside care should change if online medical appointments are available.

3 months ago

Air Force vaccine case will remain a class-action, appeals court rules

Oral arguments in the appellate case are scheduled for Oct. 19.

3 months ago

Unvaccinated cadets ordered off Coast Guard Academy campus

The Coast Guard Academy is disenrolling seven cadets for failing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

3 months ago

‘Long COVID’ symptoms could mean major health problems for vets

New guidelines from VA officials warn physicians to watch closely for signs of ongoing, serious health issues.

3 months ago

VA extends debt collection relief until the end of 2022

Veterans facing financial hardship were facing a late September deadline to resume repayment of the debt.

3 months ago

A vial of the Phase 3 Novavax coronavirus vaccine prepared for use in a trial at St. George's University hospital in London, Oct. 7, 2020. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that could soon win federal approval may offer a boost for the U.S. military: an opportunity to get shots into some of the thousands of service members who have refused the vaccine for religious reasons. (Alastair Grant/AP)

Troops can now get Novavax as a COVID-19 vaccine

Novavax is not made with, nor tested on, cells descended from fetal tissue. It also doesn’t use mRNA to deliver the vaccine into cells.

3 months ago

Tens of thousands of part-time soldiers face discharge for missing COVID vax deadline

Tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve soldiers face potential discharges as the Army deals with a tough year for recruiting.

5 months ago

Army Guard troops risk dismissal as vaccine deadline looms

Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers haven't yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine.

6 months ago

Bids to weaken military COVID vaccine mandate stall in Congress

Democrats rejected proposals to reinstate troops already kicked out and dismiss the Defense Secretary for requiring the shots.

6 months ago

New vaccine may be option for troops with religious concerns

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine may be an acceptable option for some of the service members who have sought religious exemptions from the mandatory vaccine.

6 months ago

Plan would give VA more power to protect GI Bill benefits in future national emergencies

Emergency powers given to VA leaders amid the coronavirus pandemic expired earlier this month.

6 months ago

VA officials lagging in goal of housing 38,000 distressed vets this year

A spike in Covid-19 cases at the start of the year delayed some efforts to get more veterans into homes.

6 months ago

Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates

Updates and coverage about COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

Democratic House leaders now support the change, which has been a priority for congressional Republicans for months.

The $858 billion measure also includes a 4.6% pay raise for troops next year and plans to backfill munition stockpiles depleted by the war in Ukraine.

More than 23,000 veterans have died from complications related to COVID-19 infections.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making clear he wants to keep the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place to protect the health of the troops.

They want troops dismissed for refusing the vaccine to get their jobs back and be awarded back pay.

The medication helped reduce the chance of long-term health complications by 25%.

It is “in the best interest of the Air Force” for instructors to resume their regular flight duties, Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart said in an Oct. 25 memo.

Coronavirus cases among VA patients are up slightly from October 2021.

Department leaders are looking into whether eligibility rules for outside care should change if online medical appointments are available.

Oral arguments in the appellate case are scheduled for Oct. 19.

The Coast Guard Academy is disenrolling seven cadets for failing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

New guidelines from VA officials warn physicians to watch closely for signs of ongoing, serious health issues.

Veterans facing financial hardship were facing a late September deadline to resume repayment of the debt.

Novavax is not made with, nor tested on, cells descended from fetal tissue. It also doesn’t use mRNA to deliver the vaccine into cells.

Tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve soldiers face potential discharges as the Army deals with a tough year for recruiting.

Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers haven't yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine.

Democrats rejected proposals to reinstate troops already kicked out and dismiss the Defense Secretary for requiring the shots.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine may be an acceptable option for some of the service members who have sought religious exemptions from the mandatory vaccine.

Emergency powers given to VA leaders amid the coronavirus pandemic expired earlier this month.

A spike in Covid-19 cases at the start of the year delayed some efforts to get more veterans into homes.