Opinion

The Military Traded Its Flu Vaccine Mandate for “Medical Freedom” — An Outbreak Quickly Followed

Two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the flu vaccine optional in the military, an outbreak prompted several branches to make it mandatory again.
Hosted on MSN

How the concept of 'medical freedom' is reshaping the military’s decades-long stance on the flu vaccine mandate − and endangering troops’ readiness

For the first time in almost 80 years, U.S. service members will no longer be mandated to receive the annual influenza vaccine. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the change on April 22, 2026.
The New York Times

Military Leaders Sought Vaccination Program Weeks Before Flu Outbreak Hit Base

Officials anticipated a problem soon after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lifted the vaccine requirement in April. By Greg Jaffe Reporting from Washington See more of our coverage in your search ...