All US service members must get their Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible now that the Pfizer-BioNTech jab is fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  

More than 800,000 service members out of around 1.4 million still need to get their shots, according to Pentagon data. 

Those who haven't gotten a shot face a wide range of punishments if they don't, from sitting down with a doctor to have the 'risks' of refusing explained all the way up to a court martial.

Military law experts say it is possible that a service member who refuses could be dishonorably discharged, but most will likely face a far less significant punishment.

Service members are already required to get up to 17 different vaccines, depending on where in the world they are stationed, including jabs for measles, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis, smallpox and the flu.

Of active duty forces, 68 percent are fully vaccinated and 76 percent have at least one dose, according to Pentagon press secretary John Kirby. Data is less clear for reserve and National Guard members.  

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed commanders to impose an 'ambitious timelines for implementation' and to provide regular updates on vaccination. 

The Army has the lowest vaccination rate, where 40% are fully vaccinated and 57% have one dose. The Navy has the highest, where 73% are fully vaxxed and 79% have at least one dose.