WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has revised its policy mandating annual flu vaccinations for all military personnel, introducing exemptions for reservists and stating that the shot is only required in certain situations for all service members, as per a document acquired by The Associated Press.
The memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, dated May 29, circulated to the military services, indicates that reserve troops will now need to be on active duty for at least 30 days to be mandated to receive a flu shot annually. It also notes that the funding for vaccinations for reservists or National Guard members during their personal time will be discontinued.
This policy change, yet to be formally announced by the Pentagon, is unveiled amidst adjustments by the Trump administration regarding other vaccination guidelines. An updated immunization advisory panel, now including anti-vaccine proponents, opted not to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone, as President Donald Trump promoted unverified and occasionally debunked associations between vaccines, pain reliever Tylenol, and autism.
The memo at the Pentagon specified that henceforth, flu vaccination demands for service members will be enforced solely when they significantly enhance readiness. However, ambiguity persists as it states the annual obligation for active-duty members remains intact.
Although this memo was issued discreetly months earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted it Wednesday by sharing a post from an anonymous source claiming they “won’t be forced to get a flu shot this fall to continue serving in the National Guard.”
Officials in Hegseth’s office did not answer questions on the conflicting nature of the memo or comment on the post he amplified.
Further, the Trump administration has provided back pay for former service members expelled for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine during the Biden administration. Those who opted out of the vaccine have had the opportunity to rejoin since 2023, yet only 113 out of over 8,000 discharged members have opted to return.
The back pay offer was intended to encourage more to reenlist but met with limited success. Two months later, Pentagon officials said only 13 people — all Army soldiers — had rejoined the military.
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