Key takeaway:
- Flu cases at Lackland Air Force Base climbed to 275, with four hospitalizations reported during the outbreak, prompting renewed attention on the military recruits flu vaccine as a preventive measure.
- The Army, Navy, and Air Force have reinstated mandatory flu shots for basic trainees in response.
- The outbreak has intensified debate over the Pentagon’s earlier decision to end the military-wide flu vaccine mandate.
Flu cases at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have risen to 275, leading military services to reinstate the military recruits flu vaccine for basic trainees after an outbreak hospitalized four recruits and sparked scrutiny of a Pentagon policy change.
Flu outbreak grows at lackland air force base
The Air Force confirmed 275 influenza cases as of Wednesday, an increase from 160 reported last week, according to information the service provided to the office of Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.
The outbreak has affected the 37th Training Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio, where more than 36,000 recruits receive basic military training each year.
Four people have been hospitalized as of Tuesday, according to ABC News. One recruit died on June 16, but officials have not determined whether the death is connected to the influenza outbreak.
The Air Force did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.
Pentagon policy shift draws renewed criticism
The outbreak follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision in April to end the Pentagon’s mandatory influenza vaccination requirement for service members.
Hegseth said at the time that the policy change would provide troops with “medical autonomy” and “freedom to express their religious convictions.” He also argued that requiring the vaccine weakened military readiness and described the longstanding mandate as “absurd” and “overreaching.”
Castro criticized the decision, calling it “reckless” and arguing it created conditions that contributed to the outbreak.
“The decision set the stage for an outbreak,” Castro said, pointing to the rising number of confirmed cases at the Texas training installation.
Military services reinstate flu shots for trainees
In response to the outbreak, the Army, Navy, and Air Force have reinstated the military recruits flu vaccine requirement for those entering basic training, according to reports.
The move allows the services to use their authority to implement health and safety measures while carrying out broader Pentagon policy.
ABC News also reported that the Army is considering expanding vaccination requirements to personnel deploying overseas, first responders, child care workers, health care personnel, prison staff, and troops participating in certain large-scale training exercises.
The military has required influenza vaccinations for most service members since 1945 as part of routine force health protection, and the renewed focus on the military recruits flu vaccine highlights growing concern about preventing illness in close-quarter training environments while ensuring operational readiness.
Military officials have not announced whether additional public health measures will be implemented at Lackland as the investigation into the recruit’s death continues.
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