Spc. Tyler Boyer, a Hayden, Colorado native and medical specialist assigned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, administers the COVID-19 vaccine at Fort Carson, Colorado Aug 3, 2021. The 4th Inf. Div. remains committed to keeping the Fort Carson community safe and healthy by offering mobile vaccinations centers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Greenwood)

Since the Food and Drug Administration today granted full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, it's very likely the vaccine will soon become mandatory for Defense Department personnel, the Pentagon press secretary said.

"Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved, the department is prepared to issue updated guidance, requiring all service members to be vaccinated. A timeline for vaccination completion will be provided in the coming days, John F. Kirby said at a press briefing.

Army Spc. Angel Laureano holds a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., Dec. 14, 2020. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Kirby said the health of DOD's military and civilian employees, families and communities is a top priority. "These efforts ensure the safety of our service members and promote the readiness of our force, not to mention the health and safety of the communities around the country in which we live."

The Pfizer vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty and is for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals age 16 and older. The vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose to certain immunocompromised individuals, according to the FDA.

Sgt. Nini Puello of the 7202 Medical Support Units, gives instructions on how to use a nasal swab for a COVID-19 screening test to Sgt. Brandon Whittemore, a public affairs mass communication specialist from the 354th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, during in-processing for Combined Support Training Exercise (CSTX) and Global Medic at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, on August 9, 2021.



Many U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers are returning to the field and in-person training after a year of virtual battle assemblies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 7202 Medical Support Unit tested Soldiers participating in CSTX and Global Medic to ensure the safety of all personnel. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Cadet Nicholas Nystedt)

In other COVID-19 news, Kirby said medical personnel at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, are conducting COVID-19 screenings for Americans and eligible Afghan evacuees who exhibit signs or symptoms of the disease.

COVID-19 screenings also take place at the temporary safe havens and upon arrival in the United States, he said.