Hegseth scraps mandatory flu shots for troops
Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military members will no longer be required to get a flu shot every year. The decision makes flu vaccinations voluntary for active and reserve service members and Defense Department civilians.Key Facts
- The Department of Defense ended the annual mandatory flu shot for all service members.
- The change was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a video on X (formerly Twitter).
- The decision is part of the Trump administration’s effort to reduce what it calls “overreaching mandates.”
- A memo states the flu vaccine is now voluntary for all active duty, reserve members, and Department of Defense civilians.
- Only reserve troops activated for more than 30 days will still be required to get the flu vaccine.
- The Pentagon will no longer pay reservists or National Guard members for time spent getting their flu shots independently.
- The Navy and Marine Corps warn that flu vaccination helps protect mission readiness by reducing flu spread among troops.
- The COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which led to some troops leaving the military, was lifted in 2023, and President Trump has allowed some discharged members to return.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
