Key facts
- The Pentagon has reinstated mandatory flu vaccinations for all military recruits.
- The decision follows a significant flu outbreak at the U.S. Air Force’s boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
- Nearly 300 people have fallen ill due to the outbreak.
- The mandatory vaccination policy reverses a decision made in late April by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Exceptions for mandatory vaccination were approved for the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, and Defense Health Agency.
The Pentagon has reinstated mandatory flu vaccinations for all military recruits, reversing a policy change made in late April that had made the vaccine optional. The decision comes amid a growing, weekslong flu outbreak at the U.S. Air Force’s boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, which has sickened nearly 300 people.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously cited 'medical autonomy' and religious freedom when he allowed services to ask for exceptions to the mandate repeal. However, a Pentagon official stated that the decision to reinstate the mandate was unrelated to the outbreak and that exception requests were finalized earlier in June.
At Lackland, only 40% of new trainees opted to receive the flu shot once it became optional. The base handles approximately 700 new recruits weekly, and its close-quarters environment is conducive to disease spread. Dr. Arnold Monto, a flu expert, noted that vaccination is especially necessary in group settings to prevent outbreaks.
Exceptions for mandatory vaccination were approved for the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, and Defense Health Agency. The Army and Navy have also requested permission to mandate the vaccine for troops deploying overseas, healthcare workers, and child care workers. Families Fighting Flu, an advocacy organization, praised the decision, stating it will save lives.