Thousands of intelligence officers could soon face dismissal for failing to comply with the US government’s vaccine mandate, leading some Republican lawmakers to raise concerns about removing employees from agencies critical to national security.

Several intelligence agencies had at least 20 per cent of their workforce unvaccinated as of late October, said US Representative Chris Stewart, a Utah Republican who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

While many people will likely still get vaccinated before the administration’s November 22 deadline for civilian workers, resistance to the mandate could leave major agencies responsible for national security without some personnel.

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