Pentagon Allows Troops Exemptions from Flu Shot Mandate

The Pentagon has made modifications to a policy that previously required all military personnel to receive an annual flu vaccination. A memorandum penned by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg on May 29th indicates that a step back has been taken, particularly for reservists and National Guard members, from the mandatory flu shot.

This memo, circulated among military services, stipulates that reserve troops must now be on active duty for a period of 30 days or more before they are required to receive the flu shot. It further declares that the military will no longer bear the financial responsibility for reservists or National Guard members obtaining the flu vaccine during their personal time.

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This policy shift, which has yet to be publicly announced by the Pentagon, is not without ambiguity. While the memo does state that “going forward, the Department will conserve its resources by requiring seasonal flu vaccination for Service members only when doing so most directly contributes to readiness,” it also reiterates that the yearly requirement for active-duty troops is still in effect.

This development follows earlier reports that the Trump administration and its advisers have suggested alterations to other vaccination guidance. The significance becomes clear when we consider an incident where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew attention to the memo by sharing a comment from an anonymous account stating that troops “won’t be forced to get a flu shot this fall for the privilege of serving my state and country in the National Guard.”

In a related development, the Trump administration has offered back pay to former service members who rejected the COVID-19 vaccine and were subsequently discharged under the Biden administration. Since 2023, those who chose not to get vaccinated have been able to return to service, but of the 8,000-plus discharged members, only 113 made this choice. Despite the intention of the back-pay offer to encourage reenlistment, Pentagon officials reported minimal success, with only 13 individuals – all Army soldiers – rejoining the military.

The Pentagon’s revised flu vaccination policy for military personnel raises important questions about the implications for troop readiness, the management of military resources, and the broader military vaccination policy.