Nearly 160 sick with flu at US air force base after Hegseth ends mandatory vaccines (opens original article in a new tab)

An influenza outbreak at a US Air Force base has sickened over 150 recruits, following the removal of mandatory flu vaccination policies by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with only 40% of recruits choosing to vaccinate. A trainee's death is under investigation.

• An influenza outbreak sickened over 150 recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military in April
• Only 40% of recruits opted for vaccination after the policy change
• Lackland's communal living conditions increase risk of airborne illness outbreaks
• A trainee died in June, with cause under investigation