13% ANG soldiers unvaccinated

WASHINGTON - About 13% of Army National Guard soldiers - up to 40,000 across the country haven't gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine, and as the deadline for shots looms, June 30, at least 14,000 have refused and may be forced out. Up to 30% of Guard soldiers in six states are not vaccinated, and more than 10% in 43 other states still need shots, according to data from The AP. Guard leaders say they will work with about 7,000 who have sought exemptions, which are almost all for religious reasons. “We’re going to give every soldier every opportunity to get vaccinated," Lt. Gen Jon Jensen, director of the ANG told The AP in an interview. SECDEF Lloyd Austin ordered all active-duty, National Guard and Reserves soldiers to get the vaccine. (Source: The AP 06/25/22) Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska and Wyoming and Oklahoma are challenging DoD's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.