The 80-Year Principle Reversed: Military and Public Health Experts Push Back Against Repeal of U.S. Military Vaccine Mandate

\r\n[The Financial News] The Trump administration has decided to fully scrap the policy requiring U.S. service members to receive flu shots.
On the 21st (local time), U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote, "The mandatory flu vaccination requirement for service members is being abolished. This takes effect immediately." In a two-minute video posted with the message, he called the mandate "an absurd and excessive measure that only weakens combat readiness." He added, "This move is about restoring freedom and strength to our military," and emphasized, "Your body, your faith, and your beliefs are not negotiable."
In response, The Washington Post (WP) reported that public health experts and some lawmakers voiced concern.
Jason Crow, a U.S. Representative from Colorado who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said, "Vaccines are essential to protecting service members," adding that Hegseth's decision is reckless and puts military readiness at risk. Chris Meekins, a former public health official, also told WP, "This will not create a health crisis in the military overnight, but it could lead to more flu cases, more lost duty days, and higher hospitalization costs and readiness losses."
The U.S. military made flu vaccinations mandatory in 1945, near the end of World War II. The decision came after the 1918-1920 pandemic during World War I, which killed more than 26,000 U.S. service members.
Since then, exemptions have been allowed only for religious reasons. During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 8,000 service members refused vaccination and were discharged from the military.
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whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chaewan Reporter