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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon will no longer require the annual influenza vaccine for U.S. service members, calling the existing mandate 'overly broad and not rational.' The change removes the previous mandatory annual shot while leaving vaccination available as a recommended force health protection measure. Public health experts warned the move would weaken troop readiness by increasing influenza cases and absenteeism, and Pentagon officials have not clarified whether commanders can still require vaccines for specific units.