A paratrooper assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Air Division, is preparing for an air operation in Fort Bragg, NC, on May 7th.
Spc. Hubert Delany III | US Army
WASHINGTON – Dr. White House Chief Medical Officer Anthony Fauci said Thursday that U.S. service members who are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine but withdraw it accidentally are “part of the problem” in prolonging the pandemic.
“You are part of the solution to this outbreak,” Fauci explained to a virtual audience during a town hall meeting with Blue Star Families, a non-profit organization dedicated to issues facing military families.
“Because you become infected, even though you do not know it, you can accidentally transmit the infection to someone else, even though you have no symptoms,” Fauci said. “In fact, you are propagating this outbreak, whether you like it or not. Instead of being part of the solution, you are innocent and accidentally part of the problem by not being vaccinated.”
“You have to think about your own health, which is really very important, but you have to think about your social obligation, including people close to you personally as well as other family members of other individuals,” Fauci said.
Last month, the Pentagon acknowledged that about one-third of U.S. military service members do not want to take the coronavirus voluntary vaccination.
US Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Felicia White, a supply head of Camp Kinser Post Office, had her arm disinfected to receive her second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the US Naval Hospital Okinawa on Camp Foster, March 2, 2021.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Larsen | US Marine Corps
Asked if military leadership was disappointed with the revelation, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters last month that the decision to take the vaccine was ultimately every member of the force.
“Everyone is different and our wish – what the secretary wants – is for the men and women of the department to make the best and most informed decision for themselves and their health and the health of their families,” Kirby said. of defense Lloyd Austin did get the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military, which is responsible for the Pentagon’s coronavirus efforts, has ordered thousands of service members to help vaccinate communities across the country.
Last week, Austin embarked on his first official trip since climbing to the Pentagon summit to meet military commanders overseeing the Covid-19 response effort in California.
Austin also visited a FEMA vaccination center in Los Angeles, the first crew by active-duty military teams as well as National Guard personnel.
Active service and soldiers of the National Army are preparing to receive a ridiculous recipient during the exercise at California State University, Los Angeles, February 14, 2021.
U.S. Army Captain Daniel Parker | US Army
Austin said the Pentagon has given priority to conveying factual information to the power to strengthen confidence.
“There’s a bit of mistrust and I think we need to work together hard to dispel rumors and provide facts to people,” Austin told reporters who traveled with him. “And it has been my experience that people tend to make the right decisions when armed with the facts.”
“My advice to everyone is, I mean, it’s saving lives. And it’s not just about saving our lives, it’s about saving our partner, the lives of our neighbors, and in the military, you know, we thrive on teamwork and we also have to think about our teammates, ”he added.