"40% of US Marine Corps Refuse COVID-19 Vaccination"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] CNN reported on the 10th (local time) that about 40% of the U.S. Marine Corps refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to CNN, citing military data, as of the 8th, 75,500 Marines had been vaccinated, while 48,000 refused vaccination. Accordingly, the refusal rate for vaccination in the U.S. Marine Corps was found to be 38.9%.

About 102,000 personnel are not yet included in the vaccination target.

At Lejeune, one of the major Marine Corps bases in North Carolina, among 26,500 eligible for vaccination, 15,100 decided not to get vaccinated, resulting in a refusal rate of 57%.

Kelly Prushore, a Marine Corps spokesperson, said, "We fully understand that widespread vaccination is the best way to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "The key to resolving the pandemic is to increase trust in the vaccine."

He explained that reasons for Marines refusing vaccination include consideration for others, vaccination through other channels, and vaccine allergies.

He added, "Those who refused vaccination can change their minds and get vaccinated at the next opportunity."

The U.S. Department of Defense currently cannot mandate vaccination because the COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not full approval.

Because of this, concerns are rising that a higher refusal rate could potentially reduce combat readiness.

Last month, Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden, stating, "Vaccine skepticism and misinformation are influencing refusal," and requested, "Please mandate vaccination for all U.S. military personnel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.