The United States Department of Defense has directed all of its civilian workers to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22 this year, according to media reports citing guidelines released by the agency on Monday.

Kathleen Hicks, the Deputy Secretary of Defense of United States signed a memo that said the action was congruent to the White House directive issued in September, which pressed federal agencies to push for vaccine mandates.

Deputy Secretary Hicks said in a statement, “Vaccinating (department) civilian employees against COVID-19 will save lives and allow for the defense of our nation. Thank you for your focus on this critical mission.”, according to reports from Associated Press.

Earlier this year, the Pentagon laid out a similar COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all members of the military. However, the deadline for the vaccinations was set on basis of the type of shot an individual was getting. 

According to an Associated Press report, those getting the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine must get their first doze by October 18, and their second dose by November 8.

Those getting the Moderna vaccine must get their first dose by October 11 and their second dose by November 8. And those getting the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine must get vaccinated by November 8.

The memo released by the Department of Defense clarified that those who have had COVID-19 infections are “not considered fully vaccinated” for the purposes of the mandate.

The Pentagon statement read, “Employees are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after completing the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or 2 weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.”

Navy active-duty must be fully vaccinated by November 28, and Navy Reserve by December 28. The Marine Corps has similar dates at the end of November for active duty and the end of December for Reserves.

Active-duty members of the Air Force and Space Force must be fully vaccinated by November 2, and Guard and Reserve personnel by December 2.