Rep. Barry Moore leads letter to Defense Secretary requesting ‘immediate delay’ of military vaccination requirements

Washington, D.C. — Representative Barry Moore (AL-02) wrote a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting an immediate delay of COVID-19 vaccination requirements for members of the military and civilian contractors until a full review of concerns from the medical community on potential health risks from the vaccine can be completed and evaluated. The letter also requests the development of a comprehensive program to screen members of the military for recurring medical conditions, particularly myocarditis, that may have resulted from a COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Unfortunately, research shows that these cases of myocarditis often go undetected.

Moore’s letter highlights concerns that have arisen from members of the medical community, including the Centers for Disease Control, of recurring medical conditions including myocarditis resulting from the COVID-19 virus and vaccinations that have “the potential to impact force readiness in the months and years to come.” The letter notes that these concerns have been raised by both civilian and military members of the medical community, including military physician LTC Theresa Long at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Moore has spoken with LTC Long and offered to present her sworn affidavit on this issue to Secretary Austin. The letter also states that “[w]hile the development of three COVID-19 vaccines was a true testament to the ingenuity and commitment of the American people, the recent efforts to force these new vaccinations on millions of Americans goes against the principles of freedom and individual liberty that we hold dear.”

“I’ve been overwhelmed by concerns from American citizens and servicemembers who are being forced to choose between taking a vaccine they don’t want and providing for their families,” said Moore. “I’ve especially been moved by the concerned friends and neighbors of those directly affected who have chosen to stand up against these un-American mandates.

“With both Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base located here, our district is full of proud Americans who have served their country and whose patriotism is unquestioned. My job as an elected representative is to protect Americans’ freedom and liberty for the next generation, and I am proud to stand alongside those who are protesting these unjust mandates.”

In August, Secretary Austin announced that members of the military and many civilian contractors would be required to receive a vaccine or be fired, with some required to receive the vaccine by as soon as November 2, 2021. Moore was an early opponent of these mandates.

Moore was joined by Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Clay Higgins (LA-3), Yvette Herrell (NM-2), Andy Biggs (AZ-5), Chip Roy (TX-21), Scott Perry (PA-10), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), Mo Brooks (AL-5), and Dan Bishop (NC-9).

The letter reads:

Secretary Austin,

As we are all aware, risk management and mitigation are crucial to the security and wellbeing of the United States and the brave men and women of our military. Unfortunately, we write to bring your attention to troubling reports that have the potential to impact force readiness in the months and years to come.

Since the first reported cases in January of 2020, there is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have had a devastating impact on people of the United States. While the development of three COVID-19 vaccines was a true testament to the ingenuity and commitment of the American people, the recent efforts to force these new vaccinations on millions of Americans goes against the principles of freedom and individual liberty that we hold dear. However, this letter is only partially related to these intrusive mandates.

In recent months, many members of the medical community – both civilian and military – have raised concerns of recurring medical conditions, resulting from the COVID-19 virus and its associated vaccinations, with the most prevalent being myocarditis. As you are likely aware by this point, myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can seriously impact the ability of the heart to effectively pump blood to the rest of the body. It is most often caused by a virus or an allergic reaction to a drug.

In recent months, hundreds of myocarditis cases have been reported in individuals under thirty years old – most commonly in young males.[1] Within the armed services, there have been a number of confirmed, COVID-19 related myocarditis cases[2], and many more that are under investigation. More troubling than this, myocarditis has a twenty percent mortality rate within the first year, and fifty percent mortality rate after five years.³ Unfortunately, research shows that these cases of myocarditis often go undetected.[3]

These reports raise serious concerns about the long-term health and readiness of our men and women in uniform. In the months and years to come, it would be devastating for an Army Aviator or an Air Force Pilot to suddenly begin experiencing the symptoms of their undetected case of myocarditis while taking part in a training flight, or even more dangerously, while in combat.

Mr. Secretary, we are not doctors or scientists, and we do not claim to be. It would be foolish of us to dismiss the valid concerns of our medical community as “conspiracies” or “misinformation” without first giving them their due consideration. As such, in an effort to ensure the continued safety and readiness of our country’s bravest men and women, we request that the following actions be taken:

(1)   Immediately delay the implementation of orders to require the vaccine of all members of the military and civilian contractors, until a comprehensive review and evaluation can be conducted of the many emerging concerns from the medical community – specifically physicians and researchers in the military.

(2)   Develop a comprehensive program to screen members of the military for recurring medical conditions, including myocarditis, that may have resulted from a COVID-19 infection or from the related vaccinations.

We have received a relevant affidavit – outlining similar concerns – from a military physician at Fort Rucker, Alabama, LTC Theresa Long. We would be happy to provide these documents for your review and consideration. Thank you for your immediate attention and response to these concerns.

[1] COVID-19 Vaccination. (2020, February 11). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html

[2] Montgomery J, Ryan M, Engler R, et al. Myocarditis Following Immunization With mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Members of the US Military. JAMA Cardiol. 2021;6(10):1202–1206. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2021.2833

[3] Kang M, An J. Viral Myocarditis. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459259/

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