Hegseth axes flu vaccine requirement for troops

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday announced that he had eliminated the requirement that members of the military receive a flu vaccine.

"Under the Biden administration, this Pentagon waged an unrelenting war on our warriors on many fronts, including when it came to denying them simple medical autonomy and the freedom to express their religious convictions," Hegseth said in a video.

He further recounted myriad medical requirements that the Biden administration imposed on military service members during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the vaccine mandate.

"No more," he said. "That era of betrayal is over."

"We're seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our war-fighting capability," he went on. "In this case, this includes the universal flu vaccine and the mandate behind it."

Hegseth further characterized the current flu vaccine policy as "overly broad."

"Our new policy is simple: If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you’re free to take it. You should. But we will not force you," he added.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.