מזכיר המלחמה של ארה"ב: חיסוני השפעת בצבא אינם חובה מעתה

The Department of War announcing a policy change. Annual influenza vaccines are now no longer mandatory. Here's Secretary Pete Hegseth making the announcement on X today. The notion that a flu vaccine must be mandatory for every service member, everywhere, in every circumstance, at all times, is just overly broad and not rational. Our new policy is simple. If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you're free to take it. You should. But we will not force you because your body, your faith, and your convictions are not negotiable to your health. And a memorandum has been signed to formalize the change, taking effect immediately. The policy applies to active as well as reserve service members. It also includes civilian personnel in the department. The move follows earlier changes on COVID-19 vaccines, which were required between August 2021 and January of 2023. More than 8,000 service members were discharged for refusing to take the mandatory vaccines. Hegseth says that will not happen again. He says troops were forced to choose between conscience and country, adding that the new approach restores freedom and strength with the goal being to rebuild public trust in the military.