Pete Hegseth scraps mandatory flu shots for U.S. service members
perigon
Last updated: April 22, 2026
The Department of Defense will cease its annual mandatory flu shot policy for U.S. service members. This decision was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth via a video posted on X.
- The Pentagon will no longer require military personnel to get the influenza vaccine every year. This policy change removes a long-standing mandate that had been in place for service members. The announcement was made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a video shared on the social media platform X. The specific reasons for this shift in policy were not detailed in the initial announcement but represent a significant change in the health protocols for the U.S. military. This move could impact various aspects of military readiness and health management, potentially allowing for greater individual discretion in health decisions among service members regarding the flu vaccine. Further details or justifications for this policy reversal are expected to be released by the Department of Defense.
