health
Nearly 160 sick with flu at US air force base after Hegseth ends mandatory vaccines
Reports say Texas recruits ill from outbreak, which comes weeks after defense secretary made flu vaccine optional
TL;DR
- Over 150 recruits at Lackland Air Force Base have reportedly fallen ill with influenza.
- The outbreak occurred shortly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu vaccinations optional for military personnel.
- Following the policy change, only about 40% of recruits chose to get vaccinated.
- Lackland, located in communal settings, is susceptible to outbreaks of airborne illnesses.
- Recruits have now been ordered to be vaccinated against the flu as part of containment efforts.