Coronavirus Updates | Marine Corps Times

Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices

Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.

4 weeks ago

Troops who refused COVID vaccines still could face punishment

Individuals could face discipline or dismissal for failing to follow orders.

4 weeks ago

Education and Transition

VA to get new authority over education benefits for future emergencies

The move comes in response to problems that surfaced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.

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.

3 months ago

A vial of the Phase 3 Novavax coronavirus vaccine prepared for use in a trial at St. George's University hospital in London, Oct. 7, 2020. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that could soon win federal approval may offer a boost for the U.S. military: an opportunity to get shots into some of the thousands of service members who have refused the vaccine for religious reasons. (Alastair Grant/AP)

Surgeon general urges vets to get updated COVID vaccine now

Aging and infirm veterans are particularly vulnerable to complications from the virus, officials warn.

3 months ago

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.

4 months ago

Military COVID-19 vaccine mandate repealed in defense bill compromise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.

4 months ago

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Gregzon Fontanilla, from Guam, prepares a COVID-19 vaccine aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), May 10, 2022. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malcolm Kelley/Navy)

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.

4 months ago

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.

4 months ago

VA study finds Paxlovid may help prevent long COVID-19 problems

The medication helped reduce the chance of long-term health complications by 25%.

5 months ago

VA officials confident they’re ready for the next COVID surge

Coronavirus cases among VA patients are up slightly from October 2021.

5 months ago

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.

6 months ago

‘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.

7 months ago

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.

7 months ago

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.

7 months ago

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.

9 months ago

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.

10 months ago

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.

10 months ago

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.

10 months ago

The 109th Airlift Wing began administering COVID-19 vaccines on March 10, 2021. (Master Sgt. Christine Wood/Air Force)

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.

11 months ago

Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates

Updates and coverage about COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.

Individuals could face discipline or dismissal for failing to follow orders.

The move comes in response to problems that surfaced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.

The measure includes plans for $817 billion in military spending in fiscal 2023 and a 4.6% pay raise for troops starting next month.

Aging and infirm veterans are particularly vulnerable to complications from the virus, officials warn.

Democratic House leaders now support the change, which has been a priority for congressional Republicans for months.

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.

More than 23,000 veterans have died from complications related to COVID-19 infections.

They want troops dismissed for refusing the vaccine to get their jobs back and be awarded back pay.

The medication helped reduce the chance of long-term health complications by 25%.

Coronavirus cases among VA patients are up slightly from October 2021.

Department leaders are looking into whether eligibility rules for outside care should change if online medical appointments are available.

New guidelines from VA officials warn physicians to watch closely for signs of ongoing, serious health issues.

Veterans facing financial hardship were facing a late September deadline to resume repayment of the debt.

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.

Democrats rejected proposals to reinstate troops already kicked out and dismiss the Defense Secretary for requiring the shots.

Emergency powers given to VA leaders amid the coronavirus pandemic expired earlier this month.

A spike in Covid-19 cases at the start of the year delayed some efforts to get more veterans into homes.

Public attendance at ceremonies had been limited the last two years by the coronavirus pandemic.

The measure would also upgrade the discharge status of troops already kicked out of the service for refusing to get vaccinated.