Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://mypepack.gophersport.com/video/?vid=78TUJsWlnLq Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Hegseth ends mandatory flu vaccine for US military, says shot is now optional [wqZYO70ruvJ] Health Updated on August 08, 2026 EDT — Published on August 08, 2026 EDT Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the annual flu vaccine will now be optional for all U.S. military personnel, both active and reserve. Previously, the flu vaccine had been mandatory. The new policy is in line with a previous change making the COVID-19 vaccine optional. ––– Subscribe to ABC News on YouTube: ABC News is your daily source of breaking national and world news, exclusive interviews and 24/7 live streaming coverage. Download the ABC News app for the latest headlines and alerts: Connect with ABC News on social media: Facebook: Instagram: TikTok: X: Threads: WhatsApp: LinkedIn: N2dqeAHqH2m qxu54FnFGkR CS6hOcfdjcA q4UPBx2bxPe lars8LsXx0h q8yebpxxi1D sz3YLEyvquM
Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the annual flu vaccine will now be optional for all U.S. military personnel, both active and reserve. Previously, the flu vaccine had been mandatory. The new policy is in line with a previous change making the COVID-19 vaccine optional. ––– Subscribe to ABC News on YouTube: ABC News is your daily source of breaking national and world news, exclusive interviews and 24/7 live streaming coverage. Download the ABC News app for the latest headlines and alerts: Connect with ABC News on social media: Facebook: Instagram: TikTok: X: Threads: WhatsApp: LinkedIn: N2dqeAHqH2m qxu54FnFGkR CS6hOcfdjcA q4UPBx2bxPe lars8LsXx0h q8yebpxxi1D sz3YLEyvquM