Overview
- The outbreak, reported Friday, has sickened about 160 service members at Lackland Air Force Base and the military described the situation as a "locally limited" influenza outbreak.
- Authorities are investigating whether a recruit's recent death is linked to the illnesses and the vaccination status of those affected remains unclear.
- The New York Times reported the Air Force has reinstated a flu vaccine requirement for recruits at Lackland, but other outlets say it is uncertain whether that rule is already in effect.
- The Pentagon removed the long‑standing mandatory seasonal flu shot in April and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the change while critics, including some Republicans, warned it could harm readiness.
- Recruits live and train in close quarters that promote spread of respiratory disease, the military still requires other vaccines such as measles and polio, and the outbreak could prompt more local or servicewide policy reversals.