According to the data, 40% of Marines decline the coronavirus vaccine obtained by CNN.
There has been a 38.9% drop, but Marines are providing information to people to encourage them to get the vaccine.
“The Navy and Marine Corps provide substantial educational information in general and work with commands to ensure that Marines, sailors and beneficiaries have accurate information on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to encourage people to be immunized. if ” Captain Andrew Wood, a Marine spokesman, told The Hill in a statement.
The data proved it 75,500 sailors have received the vaccine and 48,000 have rejected it. Overall, the acceptance percentage is 61.1 percent.
Data figures include reservations, active service and individual mobilization Augmentee Marines, according to CNN.
Wood said Marines include mostly “young, healthy individuals” and that there are several reasons why they can decline the vaccine.
“For example, a person may have been delayed until later to allow others to get the vaccine, they may have received the vaccine on their own and not through military channels, they may not be available for a second dose in the prescribed period of time for vaccines that need two doses, they could wait for the vaccine to become mandatory and wait until then, or they may be allergic to one of the vaccine compounds, ”Wood said.
The military previously estimated that 66% would accept the coronavirus vaccine, according to CNN. Wood said anyone who originally rejected the vaccine can change their mind and receive it.
“We continue to make the vaccine available to seafarers, seafarers, civilians, contractors and authorized beneficiaries based on the prioritization schedule in the [Department of Defense] population scheme, “Wood said.
Because vaccines are only authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, the military cannot require service members to be vaccinated.
The data show that the Lejeune field in North Carolina recorded a 57% decline in the vaccine.
“We fully understand that widespread acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine provides us with the best means to overcome this pandemic, ”said Wood.