Lackland Base Restores Flu Vaccine Rule for Trainees

A flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, has led the military to partially reverse a recent policy making flu vaccinations optional, after hundreds of recruits fell ill. As of late June 2026, the outbreak has resulted in at least 222 confirmed cases among trainees, with four individuals hospitalized. The incident follows a decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in April to end an 80-year-old universal flu vaccine mandate for service members.

In response to the outbreak, the Air Force has reinstated a mandatory flu vaccination requirement for its basic trainees at Lackland. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that exceptions to Secretary Hegseth's voluntary policy have been granted to multiple service branches, including the Army and Navy, allowing them to reimpose mandates for certain groups, such as recruits in boot camp. Parnell stated the decisions were based on risk assessments to maximize operational readiness and safeguard at-risk populations.

The policy change in April had a rapid effect on vaccination rates. Officials reported that only about 40 percent of new Air Force trainees chose to receive the flu shot once it became optional, a...