Defense Health Primer: Military Vaccinations

The Department of Defense (DOD) administers a variety of force health protection (FHP) measures to promote, protect, improve, conserve, and restore the health and well-being of servicemembers. These measures include health promotion and education programs, periodic healthassessments, preventive therapies, medical countermeasures, and vaccinations. The U.S. military instituted its first vaccination program in 1777 when General George Washington directed the inoculation of the Continental Army to protect personnel from smallpox. Since then, DOD has implemented a variety of enduring or situational FHP measures to protect servicemembers from health threats. Certain vaccines are required for all servicemembers, while others may only be required for those deploying to particular locations. Other vaccines may be available based on public health recommendations or on a voluntary basis. Since at least the late 1990s, Congress has expressed interest in DOD vaccination policies, specifically those on compulsory vaccinations. Similar interest among certain Members of Congress has arisen as DOD administers theCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine to servicemembers on a voluntary basis. This In Focus describes DODs military vaccination policies and immunization program, and offers issues for congressional consideration.