Nearly 160 Sick with Flu at US Air Force Base After Mandatory Vaccines End

An influenza outbreak has reportedly sickened over 150 recruits at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This outbreak occurred just weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccinations for military personnel, citing the need for bodily autonomy. The reports indicate that the recruits fell ill following the change in policy. The situation raises questions about the timing of the outbreak relative to the vaccine mandate's removal and its potential impact on military readiness. The base is managing the health situation among the affected recruits.

An influenza outbreak sickening nearly 160 recruits at a US Air Force base shortly after mandatory vaccines were ended raises concerns about public health measures and military readiness.