Pentagon restores mandatory flu shots for all recruits amid boot camp outbreak
Summary
The Pentagon has restarted the rule that all military boot camp recruits must get a flu shot. This decision follows a flu outbreak at the Air Force boot camp in Lackland, Texas, where nearly 300 people became sick.Key Facts
- The flu shot was made optional for military recruits in April by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- The flu vaccine requirement is now mandatory again for all new recruits across military branches.
- The outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base sickened about 275 people over three weeks.
- Only 40% of recruits got the flu vaccine when it became optional.
- The base trains around 700 new recruits every week in close living and working conditions.
- The decision to restore the vaccine mandate was planned before the outbreak occurred.
- Army, Navy, Air Force, NSA, and Defense Health Agency requested permission to require the vaccine.
- Advocacy groups welcome the return of mandatory flu shots, saying it will protect troops and save lives.
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