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Pentagon says flu vaccine no longer mandated for American troops

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom
Published April 22, 2026 at 10:53 AM CDT
A U.S. army sign is pictured on a soldier's uniform at the United States Army military training base in Grafenwoehr, southern Germany, on March 11, 2022. (Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images)
Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images
A U.S. army sign is pictured on a soldier's uniform at the United States Army military training base in Grafenwoehr, southern Germany, on March 11, 2022. (Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military will no longer require the flu vaccine for all troops, citing religious freedom and “medical autonomy.”

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR
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