The Navy has terminated the first 20 sailors due to refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, the service announced Wednesday, as Military Times reported. They were all in initial training within their first 180 days of active duty.
“The Navy said a total of 5,268 active duty and 2,980 Navy Reserve sailors remain unvaccinated as of Jan. 5,” the article noted. “The service has so far approved eight permanent medical exemptions, 242 temporary medical exemptions and 74 administrative exemptions for active duty sailors.”
Active duty sailors had until Nov. 28 to get vaccinated. Navy reservists had until Dec. 28.
A federal judge in Texas blocked the Navy from taking punitive action against 35 service members for refusing the vaccine for religious reasons, as On Base reported Wednesday.
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo
