The Pentagon has announced that boot camps for all military services will once again require flu vaccinations for recruits, reversing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's April decision to make the shot optional. The change comes amid a weeks-long flu outbreak at the U.S. Air Force's boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, which has sickened nearly 300 people.
Outbreak Details and Response
According to a Pentagon official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the outbreak at Lackland has produced 275 confirmed flu cases, as reported by Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro, whose district includes part of the base. The base processes approximately 700 new recruits each week, and the close-quarters environment—characterized by high stress, limited sleep, communal sleeping and showering—is known to facilitate disease spread.
Despite the timing, the official maintained that the decision to restore mandatory vaccinations was unrelated to the outbreak, noting that exceptions to Hegseth's policy were being finalized in early June and the outbreak was coincidental. Only 40% of trainees at Lackland opted for the shot when it became optional.
Policy Shift and Exceptions
When Hegseth repealed the flu vaccine mandate in April, citing medical autonomy and religious freedom, he allowed services to request exceptions within 15 days. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that exceptions were granted to the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, and Defense Health Agency, but declined to provide further details. Army and Navy officials have separately indicated they sought permission to mandate the shot for specific groups.
Flu expert Arnold Monto, emeritus professor at the University of Michigan, noted that the outbreak is "not unusually concerning" but emphasized that vaccination is especially crucial in group settings to prevent outbreaks.
Advocacy and Impact
Michele Slafkosky, executive director of Families Fighting Flu, praised the updated guidance, stating: "For decades, the military prioritized the health and safety of troops and the public by requiring flu vaccine for recruits. It's unfortunate that more than 200 individuals at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas became ill when that requirement was rescinded. This updated guidance from the military will save lives."
