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Defense policy bill with COVID vaccine repeal heads to Biden’s desk
The measure includes plans for $817 billion in military spending in fiscal 2023 and a 4.6% pay raise for troops starting next month.
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Veterans
Surgeon general urges vets to get updated COVID vaccine now
Aging and infirm veterans are particularly vulnerable to complications from the virus, officials warn.
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Pentagon worries repealing COVID vaccine mandate will affect readiness
Democratic House leaders now support the change, which has been a priority for congressional Republicans for months.
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Military COVID-19 vaccine mandate repealed in defense bill compromise
The $858 billion measure also includes a 4.6% pay raise for troops next year and plans to backfill munition stockpiles depleted by the war in Ukraine.
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VA, HHS urge veterans to get COVID shots before holiday season
More than 23,000 veterans have died from complications related to COVID-19 infections.
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GOP senators threaten to block NDAA over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
They want troops dismissed for refusing the vaccine to get their jobs back and be awarded back pay.
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VA study finds Paxlovid may help prevent long COVID-19 problems
The medication helped reduce the chance of long-term health complications by 25%.
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VA officials confident they’re ready for the next COVID surge
Coronavirus cases among VA patients are up slightly from October 2021.
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VA telehealth appointments may complicate vets’ community care options
Department leaders are looking into whether eligibility rules for outside care should change if online medical appointments are available.
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Unvaccinated cadets ordered off Coast Guard Academy campus
The Coast Guard Academy is disenrolling seven cadets for failing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
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‘Long COVID’ symptoms could mean major health problems for vets
New guidelines from VA officials warn physicians to watch closely for signs of ongoing, serious health issues.
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VA extends debt collection relief until the end of 2022
Veterans facing financial hardship were facing a late September deadline to resume repayment of the debt.
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Troops can now get Novavax as a COVID-19 vaccine
Novavax is not made with, nor tested on, cells descended from fetal tissue. It also doesn’t use mRNA to deliver the vaccine into cells.
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Bids to weaken military COVID vaccine mandate stall in Congress
Democrats rejected proposals to reinstate troops already kicked out and dismiss the Defense Secretary for requiring the shots.
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Plan would give VA more power to protect GI Bill benefits in future national emergencies
Emergency powers given to VA leaders amid the coronavirus pandemic expired earlier this month.
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VA officials lagging in goal of housing 38,000 distressed vets this year
A spike in Covid-19 cases at the start of the year delayed some efforts to get more veterans into homes.
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Veterans cemeteries will be fully open to visitors this Memorial Day
Public attendance at ceremonies had been limited the last two years by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Bill would mandate honorable discharge for troops booted for refusing COVID vaccine mandate
The measure would also upgrade the discharge status of troops already kicked out of the service for refusing to get vaccinated.
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