The Pentagon has reinstated a mandatory flu vaccination policy for recruits across all military branches following a significant influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. At least 275 recruits have been diagnosed with the flu in recent weeks, with four requiring hospitalization. While the Air Force confirmed a recruit died in a military hospital on June 16, it remains unclear if the death is connected to the outbreak.
This decision reverses an April policy change implemented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which had made the annual flu vaccine voluntary for the first time in 70 years. Hegseth had previously described mandatory vaccination as "overly broad and not rational," stating his policy aimed to "restore freedom and strength" to U.S. forces and that vaccine decisions were personal.
However, by early May, all military departments had formally requested exemptions to the voluntary policy, allowing them to continue mandating flu vaccinations for certain personnel, particularly recruits in basic training. "The decisions were based upon thorough risk assessments and are designed to maximize operational readiness, lethality, and force generation, while safeguarding at-risk populations," stated Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. The Department of Defense emphasized its commitment to the health and readiness of its personnel.
Despite the requests for exemptions, base officials at Lackland did not learn that flu shots were again mandatory until June 18, after the outbreak had already begun. The Pentagon's undersecretary, Anthony Tata, had approved the reinstatement of the flu shot requirement for basic training on June 11.
Following Hegseth's April directive, vaccination rates among incoming Air Force trainees reportedly dropped to 40%, a significant decrease from historical levels near 100%. Former Pentagon health official Terry Adirim suggested that the immediate abolition of the mandate created a lapse in vaccinations and could disrupt national security if medical experts' advice is not heeded.
Lackland Air Force Base has implemented mitigation measures, including monitoring trainees who may have been exposed and treating symptomatic individuals with antiviral medications. Recruits cleared by medical professionals will resume training. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu shots for everyone six months and older.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, whose Texas district includes Lackland, criticized the earlier policy change, calling it a "reckless decision that put troops in harm’s way and undermined our military readiness." He added that public health policies must be guided by science, not politics, for the well-being of service members and the community. Herd immunity for influenza is generally considered to be achieved when approximately 83% of a community is vaccinated, according to the National Institute for Infectious Diseases.