Nearly 160 sick with flu at US air force base after Hegseth ends mandatory vaccines | US military

A flu outbreak reportedly sickened more than 150 recruits training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

The outbreak emerged just weeks after defense secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military, citing the need for soldiers’ bodily autonomy.

“We take this moment to renounce any absurd, excessive powers that would only weaken our war-fighting capabilities,” Hegseth said. April Fool’s Day social media video. “This case also involves the universal flu vaccine and the authority behind it.”

“Your body, your faith, and your beliefs are non-negotiable,” Hegseth said.

At least 159 soldiers fell ill New York Times And ABC News. Air force officials told the New York Times that after Hegseth made the flu vaccine optional, only 40% of recruits chose to get vaccinated.

About 46% of adults Vaccination against influenza is available during the 2025-26 cold season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Lackland is located within Joint Base San Antonio, a 70,000-member facility sometimes called Military City. Soldiers at Lackland live in communal quarters, eat and sleep together dormitories. Such environments are known to be vulnerable to airborne disease outbreaks.

It is unclear whether the recent death of a basic military trainee was related to the outbreak. Keon McDaniel died on June 16 after experiencing a “medical emergency.” According to the Air Force, the cause of the incident is under investigation. Press release.

Air Force officials said troops at Lackland were ordered to be vaccinated against the flu as part of containment efforts, according to the Times.

A Pentagon spokesman referred the Guardian to the air force press office.

The air force press office did not immediately respond.