Scores Fall Ill at Air Force Base After Hegseth Makes Flu Vaccine Optional
The Pentagon has reinstated mandatory flu vaccinations for all recruits. This decision follows an outbreak in Texas and a death of a 25-year-old Air Force recruit. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously made the shots optional in April.
What changed
The number of sickened personnel in Texas rose to nearly 300 and one recruit died.
Live updates
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Pentagon Mandates Flu Shots for Recruits After Texas Outbreak
confidence 90%The Pentagon has reinstated mandatory flu vaccinations for all recruits. This decision follows an outbreak in Texas and a death of a 25-year-old Air Force recruit. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously made the shots optional in April.
What's confirmed:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu shots optional for the military in April.
- The Pentagon restored mandatory flu vaccines for all recruits.
Still unconfirmed:
- Nearly 300 people have been sickened by the outbreak in Texas.
- A 25-year-old Air Force recruit died from the flu.
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Military Restores Flu Shot Requirement After Texas Base Outbreak
confidence 90%A flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has sickened approximately 160 to 200 personnel. The surge occurred after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made influenza vaccinations optional. Military branches have now received exceptions to restore the vaccine requirement.
What's confirmed:
- A flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland sickened between 159 and 200 airmen and recruits.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously made flu vaccines optional for armed services members.
- Military branches received exceptions to Hegseth's policy to restore the flu shot requirement.
Still unconfirmed:
- Recruits in basic training previously received vaccinations for various viruses during their first week of boot camp.
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Flu Outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base Follows Vaccine Policy Shift
confidence 100%Nearly 160 airmen and trainees at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have fallen ill during a flu outbreak. The surge follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to end mandatory annual influenza vaccinations. This shift has sparked political debate over public health and military readiness.
What's confirmed:
- Nearly 160 Air Force trainees at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have fallen ill due to a flu outbreak.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended the military requirement for annual influenza vaccinations.
- Hegseth described the vaccine mandate as "absurd" and "overreaching".
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Flu Outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base Follows Policy Change
confidence 90%A flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base has sickened nearly 160 trainees and airmen. The surge follows a decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to make flu vaccinations optional. The situation has raised concerns regarding military readiness.
What's confirmed:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu vaccinations optional for American service people.
- A flu outbreak occurred at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
- Nearly 160 trainees and airmen have fallen ill.
Still unconfirmed:
- One recruit at Lackland Air Force Base is dead.
- Two recruits are hospitalized.
- The policy change occurred two months prior to the outbreak.
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Flu Outbreak Hits Air Force Recruits in San Antonio
confidence 90%A flu outbreak has affected recruits in basic training at Joint Base San Antonio. The surge follows a decision by Secretary Hegseth to make the flu vaccine optional. At least 159 cases have been reported at the facility.
What's confirmed:
- A flu outbreak has occurred among Air Force recruits at Joint Base San Antonio.
- Secretary Hegseth ended the mandatory flu vaccine requirement.
- The outbreak affected recruits in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base.
Still unconfirmed:
- Nearly 160 people are sick with the flu at the base.
- The outbreak began two months after Hegseth's decision.