US military service members will no longer be required to get annual flu shot

Members of the US armed services will no longer be required to have an annual flu vaccination shot under a new policy announced Tuesday by Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary.

In a video statement posted to social media, Hegseth described the mandate as “overly broad” and “not rational” and the decision to drop the vaccine requirement as “seizing this moment to discard any absurd overreaching mandates that only weaken our war fighting capabilities”.

The policy change applies to active duty, reserve component and civilian personnel, according to a Pentagon memorandum released Tuesday.

“If you, an American Warrior entrusted to defend this nation,