Influenza Vaccine History

Hegseth, Vaccine

Hegseth Just Ended a Longstanding Military Vaccine Requirement. History Shows What Could Come Next

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth cut flu vaccine requirements for soldiers. The 1918 flu pandemic shows how past flus have crippled militaries.

Opinion

· 13h

Doctors Say Hegseth’s Flu Vaccine Decision Will Weaken Military Readiness

Scientific American · 2d

Hegseth says U.S. military no longer requires flu vaccination, drawing criticism from health experts

· 1d

'Bizarre': Doctors Truly Can't Make Sense Of Pete Hegseth's Flu Vaccine Announcement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that U.S. troops will no longer be required to get the flu vaccine in support of their “medical autonomy” and due to “common sense” — but doctors say t...

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Hegseth to the Troops: We Are Bringing Back the Flu!

· 2d

Pentagon to Stop Requiring Members of Military to Get Flu Vaccines

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Pentagon revokes mandatory flu vaccine policy, calling it 'absurd'

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

· 1d

Flu shots no longer required for troops

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Pentagon relaxes mandate for annual influenza vaccine for service members and personnel

Military.com

Health Experts Weigh In on Effects of DOD's Optional Flu Vaccine Policy

The new directive issued Tuesday by Defense Secretary Hegseth is feared to have negative repercussions on military personnel in close quarters.

Military Times on MSN

The Spanish Flu - a deadly postscript to WWI - started at a US military base

Approximately 43,000 service members were killed by the influenza virus that was first identified at an Army base in Haskell County, Kansas.

AOL

Flu shot 2026: What to expect, timing, and effectiveness

Every year, flu vaccines are updated to match the flu viruses expected to circulate. For 2026, the vaccine focuses on several influenza strains that research predicts will be most prevalent. This includes both influenza A and B types, which cause seasonal ...