The U.S. Navy announced Wednesday that over 40 service members have been discharged from the force for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including 23 active-duty sailors. Members of the Navy had until Nov. 28, 2021, to be fully vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, while Ready Reserve Navy service members had until Dec. 28, 2021, after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a memorandum in August stipulating that all military members get the shots. Service members are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after getting two shots of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Booster shots are still under evaluation, officials said. In a statement on Wednesday, the Navy said there have been a total of 45 “separations,” a general term used to describe a sailor leaving his or her position, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine. “There have been 23 Active Component and …