Hegseth Drops Annual Flu Shot Requirement for US Military

Members of the US armed services will no longer be required to get an annual flu shot, reversing a longstanding policy.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the change in a social media video posted Tuesday, calling the old mandate “overly broad” and “not rational.”

“We are seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our war fighting capabilities,” he said. Members are free to get the shot if they believe it is in their best interest, “but we will not force you, because your body, your faith and your convictions are not negotiable,” he said. ...