RESCISSION OF COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

[Tony]

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// 
ROUTINE 
R 201839Z JAN 23 MID200080671031U 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
TO ALNAV 
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
CNO WASHINGTON DC 
CMC WASHINGTON DC 
BT 
UNCLAS 
 
ALNAV 009/23 
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JAN// 
 
SUBJ/RESCISSION OF COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES// 
 
REF/A/DOC/SECDEF/10JAN23// 
REF/B/DOC/ALNAV 062/21// 
 
NARR/REF A IS SECDEF MEMO RESCISSION OF AUGUST 24, 2021 AND NOVEMBER 30, 2021 
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES.  REF B IS ALNAV 062/21 2021-2022 DEPARTMENT OF NAVY MANDATORY COVID-
19 
VACCINATION POLICY OF 30 AUG 21// 
 
RMKS/1.  Per reference (a), this message announces the rescission of the 
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination requirement for members of 
the Armed Forces.  As a result, reference (b) is hereby canceled. 
 
2.  COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe, effective, and life-saving.  I 
am confident that our high vaccination percentage across the Department of 
the Navy (DON) has both saved lives, and prevented hospitalizations across 
our entire force. 
 
3.  The Navy and Marine Corps are inherently expeditionary forces in 
readiness, and my expectation continues to be that all Sailors and Marines be 
worldwide deployable.  To defend the nation, we need a healthy and ready 
force, this means a Navy and Marine Corps that is ready to deploy.  Having 
credible, capable forces requires the DON to minimize addressable risks – 
contagious disease is a threat to our fighting forces.  We will continue to 
consider medical readiness, of which vaccination plays a key role, in all 
appropriate settings.  All commanders have the responsibility and authority 
to maintain military readiness, unit cohesion, good order and discipline, and 
the health and safety of their commands. 
 
4.  Because reference (b) is now canceled, the Services shall cease any 
ongoing reviews of current Service Members' religious, administrative, or 
medical accommodation requests solely for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine 
or appeals of denials of such requests.  No currently serving Sailor or 
Marine shall be separated solely on the basis of their failure to receive the 
COVID-19 vaccination if they sought an accommodation on religious, 
administrative, or medical grounds. 
 
5.  We will continue to promote and encourage the COVID-19 vaccination for 
everyone.  As with all of our vaccinations, healthcare providers will 
continue to medically screen for contraindications.  I thank you for your 
selfless devotion to your colleagues, military and civilian, throughout this 
pandemic. 
 
6.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.// 
 
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//