Navy Times reports more than 3,000 sailors in the Navy Reserve missed the deadline to receive the mandatory COVID-19 injection. The website reported 3,002 Ready Reserve sailors remained unvaccinated as of Dec. 29. The deadline for vaccination was Dec. 28.
Those 3,002 reserves join 5,328 active duty sailors who are yet to be injected as well. That deadline was Nov. 28.
According to the article, the Navy formed the COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority to manage the separation of sailors who refuse the jab. Those sailors may also face punishment related to education benefits, promotions and bonus pay.
Religious accommodations were submitted by 2,877 active sailors. Requests were also submitted by 283 sailors in the reserves. According to the Navy Times, zero religious waivers have been approved.
The Navy has approved eight permanent medical exemptions, 253 temporary medical exemptions and 94 administrative exemptions for active duty sailors. The reserve has been granted nine temporary medical exemptions and 44 administrative exemptions.
Seventeen sailors have died from complications stemming from COVID-19, according to the Navy Times.
