Defense Secretary Austin expected to make Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for active duty troops

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to seek authorization to make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for all active duty troops as soon as this week, following President Joe Biden's directive that the military examine how and when it could make that happen.

Austin's "inclination is towards making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory" for active duty troops, a defense official told CNN. If the Secretary makes that final recommendation, he could seek a presidential waiver to allow the vaccine to be administered to troops before full approval by the Food and Drug Administration. A Pentagon decision and recommendation on how to proceed could come this week, several officials say.