US Military Ends Influenza Vaccine Mandate

The U.S. military will no longer require its service members to be vaccinated against influenza, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on April 21. “We’re seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our warfighting capabilities. In this case, this includes the universal flu vaccine and the mandate behind it,” Hegseth said in a video statement on X. “The notion that a flu vaccine must be mandatory for every service member, everywhere, in every circumstance at all times is just overly broad and not rational. Our new policy is simple. If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you’re free to take it. You should, but we will not force you.”...