Pentagon recommends but does not require COVID-19 booster shot

The Defense Department has recommended a COVID-19 booster shot for all eligible employees and their dependents. 

The department made the recommendation Tuesday and said those 18 and older who have completed an initial vaccination should consider the additional shot, according to military.com.

The recommendation applies to all service members, civilian workers and dependents, according to the memo signed by Gil Cisneros, the under secretary of personnel and readiness, the news outlet also reports.

Roughly 1.6 million troops are what has been considered fully vaccinated -- having received one or two of the approved shots, following such orders in August, according to the latest figures published by the department.

But the worldwide surge in COVID-19 cases, amid the emergence of the virus’ highly contagious omicron variant, has increased calls for those vaccinated to get a booster shot. 

The Pentagon has not released recent, specific numbers. But the Navy's USS Milwaukee was recently taken out of service in Guantanamo Bay because 25% of the crew was  infected. The Navy reportedly said the entire crew was fully vaccinated.