US military rushes flu vaccinations as current doses near expiration

Key facts

• The US military is rushing to vaccinate new recruits before current flu shots expire on June 30.
• New flu vaccine doses are not expected to be available until August or later.
• A flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base has sickened at least 275 people and hospitalized four.
• One recruit died earlier this month following a medical emergency, with the cause under investigation.
• Flu vaccination rates dropped to 40% after the mandate was lifted in April.
• The military is exploring alternative infection control measures due to the vaccine shortage.

The US military is facing a critical shortage of flu vaccines, prompting a race to inoculate new recruits before current doses expire on June 30. This situation arises after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the mandatory flu shot requirement at the end of April, leading to a significant drop in vaccination rates. The military services have since reinstituted the mandate, but the limited supply of vaccines, which are typically low at this time of year as manufacturers prepare for the next season, presents a major challenge.

A growing flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, has already sickened at least 275 people and hospitalized four. One recruit, Keon McDaniel, died earlier this month following a medical emergency, though the cause is still under investigation and its link to the flu outbreak is unconfirmed. Experts warn that basic training environments, characterized by close living quarters and high stress, are particularly conducive to infectious disease outbreaks.

With new vaccine doses not expected until August or later, military leaders are exploring alternative infection control measures. These include splitting recruits into smaller groups for meals and hygiene, emphasizing handwashing, and potentially using face masks, although their practicality in training is limited. Some experts suggest that mRNA vaccine technology could offer a faster production timeline for future flu seasons, potentially reducing the risk of similar crises.