Pentagon sets Nov. 22 deadline for civilian employees to get vaccinated

The Department of Defense has set Nov. 22 as the deadline for civilian employees to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

In a memorandum Tuesday, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks announced the deadline, noting that the last day to get the second jab is Nov. 8. 

The memo also states that civilian employees must be ready to provide a copy of their vaccination records to the appropriate management departments.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the entire military, including civilian employees and contractors, to be fully vaccinated following Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine being approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Employees who do not comply face termination, without any separation benefits.  

Service members and civilian employees can apply for a medical or religious exemption.