The United States Department of Defense has ended the requirement for annual flu vaccinations among military personnel, marking a significant shift in federal vaccine policy under President Donald Trump.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the change on Tuesday, stating that the decision reflects a broader emphasis on personal choice and medical autonomy within the armed forces.
The directive makes influenza vaccinations voluntary for all active-duty troops, reservists, and civilian personnel within the department.
Hegseth described the previous mandate as “overly broad and not rational,” arguing that a universal requirement did not account for varying circumstances across the military.
The policy takes effect immediately, though individual service branches have been given 15 days to request exemptions that would allow them to maintain the mandate.
The move reverses a longstanding health policy that had required service members to receive annual flu shots as a condition of service.
Officials indicated that further guidance may be issued, particularly regarding deployments to regions with elevated health risks.
The decision aligns with a series of policy changes under the Trump administration that have rolled back vaccine requirements and recommendations.
Hegseth framed the shift as part of a response to what he has previously described as an “era of betrayal” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 8,400 service members were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under a 2021 mandate, a policy later reversed.
The administration has also faced legal challenges over efforts to limit vaccine recommendations for children, with one such policy temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
The announcement comes after a severe flu season in the United States, during which health experts continued to recommend annual vaccinations for individuals aged six months and older.
Despite the policy change, service members may still choose to receive the flu vaccine voluntarily.