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Pentagon Pete Humiliated by Major U-Turn as Air Force Flu Outbreak Explodes
The Daily Beast • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. military reversed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to make flu vaccines optional after a flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio infected at least 222 recruits, with four hospitalizations and one recruit death under investigation.
- Hegseth had ended the mandatory flu shot policy in April, reducing vaccination rates among new trainees from nearly 100% to about 40%, which critics say contributed to the outbreak.
- Recruits are especially vulnerable to respiratory illnesses due to close living quarters and constant physical interaction during training.
- In response to the outbreak, the Army plans to expand flu vaccine requirements to include troops deploying overseas and other high-risk groups to protect military readiness.
- The Department of Defense emphasized that exceptions were made after thorough risk assessments to maintain operational readiness and safeguard at-risk personnel.
