Pete Hegseth axes mandatory flu shots for military

The U.S. military will no longer require soldiers to receive an annual influenza vaccine, according to a Monday memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Trump administration is restoring soldiers’ ability to exercise bodily autonomy and religious convictions, Hegseth said in a Tuesday video message. If a soldier wants the flu vaccine, they’re welcome to take it, but warfighters will no longer be forced to, Hegseth explained.

Hegseth characterized the mandatory flu vaccine policy as overbroad and irrational. The idea that every service member, serving anywhere, needs the flu vaccine makes no sense, he said. Hegseth further accused the Biden administration of forcing soldiers to choose between their conscience and their country. 

Didn’t Hegseth make another policy change recently? The latest memo came more than two weeks after the defense secretary signed a separate memo ending the longstanding policy banning personal firearms from military bases. Hegseth made a similar argument for the change, emphasizing the rights of soldiers. Warfighters protect others’ Second Amendment right to bear arms, and they are entitled to that same right, Hegseth said.