Additional Coverage:
- Pete Hegseth humiliated as U.S. military defies vaccine directive after deadly flu outbreak (themirror.com)
The influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas has intensified following the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s removal of the mandatory flu vaccination requirement for service members.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) reported that the Air Force confirmed 275 flu cases as of Wednesday, a significant increase from the 160 cases recorded just last week. This data was provided directly to his office by the service.
Additionally, ABC News reported that four individuals were hospitalized as of Tuesday. One recruit died on June 16, though the cause of death remains under investigation, and it is unclear if it was linked to the flu outbreak. The 37th Training Wing at Lackland, part of Joint Base San Antonio which trains over 36,000 recruits annually, has been heavily impacted by the outbreak over the past three weeks.
Recruits at the base endure intense physical and mental stress, limited sleep, and close quarters-factors that contribute to the rapid spread of illnesses. They often share showers, sleep in open dormitories, and participate in group training exercises and inspections.
The recent surge follows Secretary Hegseth’s April decision to eliminate the military’s flu shot mandate, citing the importance of “medical autonomy” and respecting service members’ religious beliefs.
Rep. Castro criticized the decision as “reckless,” asserting that it created conditions ripe for the outbreak.
In response, military branches appear to be revisiting the policy. Reports indicate the Army, Navy, and Air Force have reinstated flu shot requirements for recruits in basic training, leveraging their authority to implement Pentagon safety policies.
The Army is reportedly seeking to broaden the vaccination mandate to include deployed soldiers, first responders, daycare providers, healthcare workers, jail officials, and participants in certain large-scale training events.
Arnold Monto, a flu expert and retired University of Michigan professor, told The Guardian that while the outbreak is notable, it is not unusually severe. He emphasized that vaccination is especially important in group settings to prevent the spread of influenza.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that the Army, Navy, Air Force, the National Security Agency, and the Defense Health Agency have been granted exceptions to the initial directive but declined to provide further details. Officials from the Army and Navy have indicated they have requested permission to require flu vaccinations for specific groups.
Families Fighting Flu, an advocacy organization, welcomed any efforts to increase vaccination rates among military personnel.