Defense Secretary to announce mandatory COVID vaccinations for troops 'soon': Sources

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to announce his recommendation to President Biden that vaccines be made mandatory for troops, officials told ABC News Wednesday

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is expected to announce his recommendation to President Joe Biden that COVID-19 vaccines be made mandatory for troops, officials told ABC News Wednesday evening. A senior official said the announcement will come "soon," while a separate U.S. official said an announcement is expected by the end of this week. The president last week directed the Department of Defense to look into how and when vaccines could be mandated for service members. Austin's recommendation in response to that request is expected to be in favor of vaccine requirements, but for Austin to implement such a policy, he'll need a written waiver from Biden. Because COVID-19 vaccines are available to the military under the Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization (EUA), the shot has so far been strictly voluntary.