War Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved to scale back long-standing Pentagon requirements for annual flu vaccinations, ending what he called an “era of betrayal.”
Under the updated guidance announced by the Pentagon on Tuesday, the Department of War will no longer require all service members to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine each year, instead limiting the mandate to circumstances deemed necessary for operational readiness.
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Hegseth framed the measure as a rollback of a “war on warriors” waged by former President Joe Biden’s administration that stripped soldiers of their medical autonomy, specifically by requiring them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Our men and women were forced to choose between their conscience and their country, even when those decisions posed no threat to our military readiness,” Hegseth said. “That era of betrayal is over under President Trump.”
“We’re seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our war-fighting capabilities,” he added.
The change means that reservists and National Guard members are largely exempt from the requirement unless they are activated for at least 30 consecutive days. In addition, the Pentagon will no longer routinely cover the cost of flu vaccinations for personnel outside active-duty status.
For active-duty troops, the policy shifts away from a blanket mandate toward a more targeted approach in which vaccinations may be required based on mission needs, deployment risks, or potential outbreaks. Hegseth said the revised framework is intended to prioritize “readiness” rather than universal compliance.
The Pentagon historically required the annual flu shots across the force, often aiming for vaccination rates exceeding 90% to prevent outbreaks that could impair military operations. The new policy represents a departure from that standard, giving commanders more discretion in determining when immunization is necessary.
At least one Republican in Congress has disagreed with the move. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) told NOTUS the move is a “mistake.”
“I don’t equate them with COVID shots,” he said. “When I was on active duty and a reservist, I dutifully took my flu shot every year … as a whole, it made for a healthier and flu free force.”
The rollback comes amid broader changes to vaccine police under President Donald Trump’s administration and Hegseth’s leadership.
Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 that repealed the mandate for the COVID-19 vaccine and reinstated service members who had been discharged for refusing the vaccine.
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Under the Biden administration, service members were required to get the COVID-19 vaccine from 2021 to 2023, and those who refused were discharged from their respective service.
An estimated 8,000 troops left the service as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Some of those who were discharged were generally discharged, which stripped them of their GI Bill benefits that assist them or their children in paying for higher education.
