The Pentagon has restored mandatory flu vaccinations for all military recruits, reversing a policy change made earlier this spring, after a flu outbreak at an Air Force boot camp sickened nearly 300 people.
A Pentagon official confirmed Wednesday that all military services are once again requiring flu shots for recruits entering basic training. The change follows a weeks-long outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, home to the U.S. Air Force’s primary boot camp.
Policy
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the flu vaccine optional for service members in late April, citing medical autonomy and religious freedom. Under that policy, individual services were given 15 days to request exceptions that would allow them to keep the vaccine mandatory.
According to a Pentagon official, decisions on those exception requests were finalized earlier this month. The official said the timing of the restored mandate was unrelated to the outbreak at Lackland, calling the overlap coincidental.
Outbreak
The flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base has been ongoing for roughly three weeks. Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, whose district includes part of the base, said 275 flu cases have been confirmed.
Once the flu shot became optional, only about 40% of new trainees at Lackland chose to be vaccinated, according to a source familiar with the situation. The base processes approximately 700 new recruits each week.
Military boot camps are known to be high-risk environments for infectious disease due to close living quarters and physically demanding schedules.
Conditions
Recruits typically live in large shared sleeping areas, shower communally, and spend much of their training in close contact with others. Long hours, high stress, and limited sleep further increase vulnerability to illness.
Dr. Arnold Monto, a flu expert and emeritus professor at the University of Michigan, said the outbreak is not unusually concerning given the setting.
Although flu is most common in fall and winter, Monto said viruses can circulate year-round, with outbreaks more likely in crowded environments such as military bases and cruise ships.
“If you want to prevent flu outbreaks, it is especially necessary to vaccinate when there are group settings,” Monto said.
Response
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that exceptions to the optional vaccine policy were granted to the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, and Defense Health Agency. He did not provide further details.
Army and Navy officials have said they also requested permission to require flu vaccinations for specific groups, including troops deploying overseas, healthcare workers, and child care staff.
Reaction
Families Fighting Flu, an advocacy group, welcomed the restored mandate.
“For decades, the military prioritized the health and safety of troops and the public by requiring flu vaccine for recruits,” said Michele Slafkosky, the organization’s executive director. “It’s unfortunate that more than 200 individuals at Lackland Air Force Base became ill when that requirement was rescinded.”
She added that the updated guidance would help protect service members and prevent future outbreaks.
FAQs
Why did the Pentagon restore mandatory flu shots?
The policy was reinstated after services requested exceptions.
Where did the flu outbreak occur?
At the Air Force boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base.
How many recruits were sickened?
About 275 confirmed flu cases were reported.
When was the flu shot made optional?
The policy changed in late April under Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Are flu outbreaks common in boot camps?
Yes, close living conditions increase the risk of spread.
