How a Military Vaccine Reversal Was Followed by a Major Flu Outbreak
Summary
A military vaccine rule requiring flu shots for all service members was ended in April, making the shots voluntary. Shortly after, a flu outbreak occurred at an Air Force training base in Texas, infecting hundreds of trainees. The military then allowed some branches to require flu vaccines again for certain groups.Key Facts
- The military flu vaccine rule started in 1945 and was mostly in place for over 70 years.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended the mandatory flu vaccine in April 2024.
- After the policy change, flu cases rose quickly at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
- Hundreds of Air Force trainees got sick during the outbreak.
- A 25-year-old trainee, Keon McDaniel, died during training; influenza is believed to be involved, but an official cause is still under review.
- Vaccination rates at the training base dropped from nearly 100% to about 40% after the mandate ended.
- By late June, the Pentagon allowed exceptions so some military parts could require flu vaccines again.
- Medical staff treated sick trainees with antiviral medicines and tried to isolate infected individuals to stop the flu from spreading.
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