It is alleged that almost 40% of the Marines rejected COVID-19 vaccinations

About 75,500 Marines have been vaccinated, including those now fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated, according to data obtained by the network.

Nearly 48,000 marines chose not to receive the vaccines (38.9%). An additional 102,000 Marines have not yet been offered the vaccines, according to CNN.

The Marines are the first military branch to announce the vaccination figures. But the military in general estimated that two-thirds of service members would decide to take the vaccinations – a 66% rate, compared to a 61% acceptance rate so far for the Marines, CNN noted.

It is not clear why vaccinations were rejected. Authorities speculate that some may be waiting for those most at risk to get the vaccines, or that they are available elsewhere, rather than through the military, according to CNN. Other reluctance may be linked to safety issues related to the speed at which the vaccines were developed, or fears that scientists are unfounded about possible long-term consequences.

‘We fully understand that accepting the COVID-19 vaccine offers us the best way to defeat the pandemic. The key to tackling the pandemic is building confidence in vaccines, “Marine Corps spokesman Colonel Kelly Frushour said in a statement to CNN.

Marine officials are reaching out to service members to encourage them to get the vaccine.

“The Navy and Marine Corps provide comprehensive educational information broadly and work with assignments to ensure that marines, sailors and beneficiaries have accurate information on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines to encourage individuals to be immunized,” said Andrew Wood, Cabinet spokesman Andrew Wood. said in a statement to The Hill.

The military has not yet been able to make vaccines compulsory because the Food and Drug Administration has only granted permission for emergency use, and service members have the option to refuse it.

The Department of Defense has approximately 2.2 million service members working around the world. “A too low rate of vaccine acceptance could affect readiness,” CNN said.

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