Flu vaccine no longer mandated for US troops, Hegseth says
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military will no longer mandate flu vaccines for all service members, emphasizing respect for medical autonomy and religious freedom.
- The new policy allows individual military branches to request continuation of the flu vaccine requirement within 15 days, according to a memo outlining the directive.
- This change follows the Pentagon’s earlier decision to drop the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in January 2023 after widespread vaccination among active duty troops and contentious debates over vaccine requirements.
- Historically, vaccination has been mandatory for service members, with exemptions allowed for religious or medical reasons after counseling and input from commanders and medical personnel.
- The shift away from mandatory flu vaccines aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce blanket vaccine recommendations, amid ongoing legal challenges and public health concerns following a severe flu season.
