CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Fort Campbell soldiers choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine could find their plan for summer leave affected, according to Commanding General JP McGee.
In a livestreamed town hall event, Maj. Gen. McGee announced that soldiers choosing to remain unvaccinated should not “not consider things business as usual,” when making travel plans this summer.
“It would be irresponsible of me to allow soldiers to travel unvaccinated throughout the United States and bring that back and have an impact on our soldiers, their families and our overall operational readiness. I’m sure that’s not gonna be a popular decision for some, and that’s quite alright,” McGee said.
McGee said he and his staff are considering a range of options, including limited range of travel and increased reporting requirements for soldiers; however, no final decisions have been made as to restrictions.
Soldiers who are fully vaccinated should expect more freedom of travel, according to McGee’s update.
“If you are a vaccinated soldier and you’ve received 2 vaccines, you’re at incredibly low risk of contracting the virus and bringing it back. You pose minimal to no risk. For them, they’ll be able take leave unhindered and with no additional requirements. For those soldiers that choose, as is their right, to not take the vaccine, we will prudently apply measures of how we will make sure you are able to travel safely,” McGee said.
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after having received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, according to the Major General’s update .