The Pentagon had previously demanded all 1.3 million active-duty service members to be inoculated against the coronavirus. Till now, over 93% have received at least one jab.
But Fox News received a note signed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, which directs civilian employees to also become vaccinated.
"All DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021, subject to exemptions as required by law," Hicks wrote, stressing that employees are deemed fully vaccinated two weeks after finishing the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, like Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna, or two weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson.
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"New DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by their entry on duty (start) date or November 22, 2021, whichever is later," Hicks wrote.
Hicks mentioned the executive order President Biden signed last month, ordering all executive branch agencies to execute a COVID-19 vaccine demand for federal employees to "ensure the health and safety of the Federal workforce and members of the public with whom they interact."
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In the memo, Hicks said those who are not currently fully vaccinated must meet several deadlines.
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For those getting their first dose of Moderna, people have until Oct. 11 to do so, with those getting Pfizer having until Oct. 18. Hicks said individuals must receive their second doses of either Moderna or Pfizer by Nov. 8. Civilian employees have until Nov. 8 to receive their only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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Hicks said that employees "must be prepared to provide a copy of their COVID-19 vaccine record in order to meet forthcoming procedures for DoD COVID-19 vaccine verification."
Hicks continued that additional administration, including procedures for processing vaccination exemption requests, will be issued.
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"Vaccinating DoD civilian employees against COVID-19 will save lives and allow for the defense of our Nation," Hicks wrote. "Thank you for your focus on this critical mission."
Despite some concern over vaccine mandates, the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel determined over the summer that federal law does not forbid public agencies and private businesses from asking for COVID-19 vaccines that are under emergency use authorization (EUA).
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The opinion stresses that some have challenged whether such beings can legally inflict such requirements.
In the opinion, the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel says the law regarding emergency- use authorizations "does not prohibit public or private entities from imposing vaccine requirements, even when the only vaccines available are those authorized under EUAs."
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was fully supported by the Food and Drug Administration in August.
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