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Military Boot Camps Bring Back Flu Shots After Illness Surge
25 Jun
Summary
- Recruits at military boot camps now require flu vaccinations again.
- Nearly 300 people sickened in a weekslong flu outbreak at Lackland AFB.
- Pentagon says mandate return is coincidence, not outbreak-related.
The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that flu vaccinations are now mandatory for all military recruits. This reversal follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision in late April to make the vaccine optional, citing "medical autonomy." The change comes amidst a significant flu outbreak at the U.S. Air Force's boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, which has sickened nearly 300 individuals.
Pentagon officials stated that the decision to reinstate the mandate was finalized earlier in June and is unrelated to the current outbreak. Only 40% of new trainees at Lackland opted for the vaccine when it became optional. The close-quarters environment at boot camps is known to facilitate disease spread, with recruits experiencing high stress and low sleep.
Dr. Arnold Monto, a flu expert, noted that while flu season is typically in the fall and winter, concentrated outbreaks can occur in warmer months in settings with many people indoors, such as military bases. Advocacy group Families Fighting Flu praised the decision, stating it will save lives and prevent illnesses like those seen at Lackland.
