Overview
- In April the Defense Department made the seasonal flu vaccine optional for service members after Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the long‑standing mandate.
- Vaccine uptake at Lackland fell to about 40 percent once the shot became optional, according to reporting that tracked recruit immunization rates.
- A fast‑moving outbreak at the 37th Training Wing in late June produced roughly 275 to nearly 300 confirmed cases and several hospitalizations.
- In response the Pentagon granted exceptions that let the Army, Navy and Air Force require flu vaccination again for new recruits to protect trainee health and preserve readiness.
- Public‑health experts and advocacy groups warned that close quarters in basic training make vaccination especially important and said the reinstated rules could be expanded to other high‑risk military roles.