Military requiring flu vaccines for recruits as Air Force base deals with outbreak
Summary
The U.S. military has started requiring flu vaccines again for recruits despite an earlier decision to make the vaccine optional. This change comes after a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base, where many trainees have become sick.Key Facts
- All U.S. military branches now require flu vaccines for new recruits starting this month.
- This rule is an exception to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s previous decision to make flu vaccines voluntary.
- Lackland Air Force Base in Texas has had a recent flu outbreak with 275 cases among trainees.
- The outbreak led to increased health measures, including monitoring exposed trainees and treating symptoms with antiviral drugs like Tamiflu.
- Military departments requested exemptions to keep flu vaccines mandatory for certain groups, such as people living in close quarters and healthcare workers.
- The Pentagon reviewed the risk and concluded that flu vaccines help maintain military readiness and protect vulnerable personnel.
- Flu vaccines have been required for troops on and off since 1945, except for a few periods.
- The military also required COVID-19 vaccines until the mandate was lifted, with some service members returning after refusing the shots.
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