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Pentagon ends mandatory flu vaccine for U.S. military, Hegseth says

scienceApr 21, 2026201,363

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon will end the existing annual flu-vaccine requirement for U.S. service members, calling the mandate "overly broad and not rational." He also described the requirement as "absurd" and said the Pentagon will no longer impose the blanket annual shot on all troops. Public health experts warned the change could weaken troop readiness by increasing hospitalizations and lost duty days during peak flu seasons.

Key Highlights

Pete Hegseth ended the Pentagon's annual flu-vaccine mandate for U.S. service members.
Hegseth said the mandate was "overly broad and not rational."
Public health experts warned the change could increase hospitalizations and lost duty days.
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