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Lackland Flu Outbreak Prompts Push to Reinstate Mandatory Military Flu Shots

Lawmakers say a trainee's confirmed flu-linked death plus rising cases show readiness risks from the Pentagon's April decision to make annual flu shots voluntary.

In recent weeks, a flu outbreak has sickened hundreds of recruits at Lackland Air Force Base. Above, a flight of newly arrived recruits receive instructions from Technical Sgt. Kaleb Schmidt on Dec. 16, 2025.
Two members of Congress are proposing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require all U.S. service members to receive influenza vaccinations following the recent flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Joe Gangemi)
Two members of Congress are proposing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require all U.S. service members to receive influenza vaccinations following the recent flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
from l to r: Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania (PA-06), Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas (TX-20), and Congressman Gil Cisneros of California (CA-31) slam pentagon officials for Lackland flu outbreak and push for mandatory flu vaccine requirement on Tue. June 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Overview

  • Roughly 284 trainees at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland have tested positive for influenza with four hospitalizations and one trainee death that the Air Force has linked to the virus while a comprehensive medical review continues.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued guidance in April making annual flu vaccinations voluntary for most service members, a move critics say left recruits vulnerable.
  • After the outbreak, the Pentagon granted exceptions allowing the Army, Navy and Air Force to require flu shots for basic trainees, and those services have moved to vaccinate recruits.
  • On Tuesday, Reps. Joaquin Castro, Chrissy Houlahan and Gil Cisneros filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to restore a forcewide annual flu vaccine requirement, but House Republicans have so far blocked consideration of the measure.
  • Public-health experts and lawmakers warn that close-quarters basic training speeds respiratory spread, that the outbreak has delayed recruit class flow, and that the fight could reshape vaccine policy for the military long term given a mandate that dated to 1945.