Pentagon restores mandatory flu shots as outbreak sickens 300

Key Points:

• The Pentagon has reinstated mandatory flu vaccinations for all military recruits after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the vaccine optional in April, amid a flu outbreak at the Air Force boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base.
• The outbreak at Lackland, lasting about three weeks, has sickened nearly 300 recruits, with only 40% opting for the flu shot once it became optional; the base processes around 700 new recruits weekly in close quarters conducive to disease spread.
• Pentagon officials stated that the decision to reinstate the vaccine mandate was unrelated to the outbreak and that exceptions were granted to several military branches and agencies to maintain mandatory flu vaccinations for certain groups.
• Flu expert Dr. Arnold Monto noted that while flu typically peaks in fall and winter, outbreaks can occur year-round in crowded settings like military bases, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in such environments.
• Advocacy groups praised the Pentagon’s move, highlighting that mandatory flu vaccinations have historically protected military personnel and the public, and expressed concern over the recent outbreak following the rescinding of the vaccine requirement.