{"id":116332,"date":"2021-07-01T11:39:33","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T11:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/07\/01\/va-may-force-employees-to-get-covid-vaccines\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:36:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:36:41","slug":"va-may-force-employees-to-get-covid-vaccines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2021\/07\/01\/va-may-force-employees-to-get-covid-vaccines\/","title":{"rendered":"VA may force employees to get COVID vaccines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Veterans Affairs employees could be required to get the coronavirus vaccine<\/a> to keep their jobs, under a plan being considered by department leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VA Secretary Denis McDonough<\/a> said Wednesday that no decision on such a move has been made yet, and he is hopeful that new initiatives granting more leave for staffers to receive and recover from the vaccine will help boost the department\u2019s totals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, he also emphasized that increasing the number of vaccinated employees is critical for plans to fully resume operations at VA hospitals and offices<\/a>, for the safety of both other staff and visiting veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy goal has been by August to make clear we are providing more care and more benefits than before the pandemic began,\u201d he said. \u201cOur ability to do that is enhanced by our ability to get more staff vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\t