US Military Drops Universal Flu Shot Mandate, Emphasizing Personal Choice
TL;DR Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military will no longer require all troops to get the flu vaccine, framing it as medical autonomy and religious freedom. Service members can still opt in, and individual services may request to maintain the requirement within 15 days. The move follows the end of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in 2023 and comes amid a severe flu season; the Pentagon previously reinstated or re-accessed some personnel separated under the COVID-19 mandate, but overall vaccination rates among active-duty troops had been high.
Topics:nation#defense#flu-vaccine#medical-autonomy#military-policy#religious-freedom#vaccine-mandate
- Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military will no longer require flu shots NBC News
- US military service members will no longer be required to get annual flu shot The Guardian
- Why the Pentagon is dropping a flu vaccine mandate vox.com
- Pentagon ends mandatory flu vaccines for service members Politico
- Hegseth: Flu Vaccine Optional U.S. Department of War (.gov)
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