Pete Hegseth said the decision was based on the principle of “medical autonomy” and criticized the mandate as “going too far.”
Published April 21, 2026
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be no requirement for influenza vaccinations for the country’s military personnel, the latest move by President Donald Trump to shift federal vaccine policy.
Hegseth said in a video shared on social media on Tuesday that the decision was based on the principles of “medical autonomy” and religious freedom.
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“We are seizing this opportunity to rescind absurd and overreaching orders that only weaken our nation’s fighting capabilities. In this case, that includes a universal influenza vaccine and the orders behind it,” Hegseth said.
“The idea that the influenza vaccine must be required for all service members at all times, everywhere, and under all circumstances is too broad and unreasonable.”
The Trump administration has framed vaccine refusal as a matter of personal moral or religious principles and rolled back some policies aimed at protecting against preventable diseases.
Hegseth’s directive allows various militaries to request maintenance of the mission, giving them a 15-day deadline.
The announcement comes after what health officials described as a particularly severe flu season in the United States, with infections surging. Public health experts recommend that everyone six months of age and older receive the influenza vaccine annually.
The second Trump administration reflects some of the backlash against public health guidelines and mandates put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hegseth himself called the period an “era of betrayal” for the national army. More than 8,400 service members have been expelled for failing to comply with 2021 coronavirus vaccination requirements.
The Trump administration has reversed vaccine recommendations elsewhere, announcing earlier this year that it would no longer recommend flu shots or other forms of vaccines for all children. A lawsuit was filed challenging the initiative, and the policy was temporarily blocked by a federal judge amid ongoing legal challenges.
