US Air Force expedites reinstatement for members separated over COVID vaccine refusal

Published Aug 12, 06:12 PM UTC

The Department of the Air Force announced on August 12, 2026, an updated COVID-19 reinstatement process to accelerate the return of service members who were involuntarily separated in 2021 for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. The new process runs medical certifications and Board for Correction of Military Records actions in parallel rather than sequentially, removing an average 30-day delay. Dedicated case managers will serve as single points of contact to help applicants with missing documents and ensure fast reintegration. The move follows a Pentagon directive to remove roadblocks, as only 3% of the 8,700 eligible separated service members have opted to return. The expedited program is open until April 2027 under a one-year extension ordered by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, aligning with a January 2025 executive order.