Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army Ranger with three combat tours as a paratrooper, sharply criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s decision to eliminate the mandatory annual flu vaccine requirement for U.S. military service members.
“I fought three combat tours as a paratrooper & Army Ranger,” Crow wrote on X. “Vaccines are key to protecting servicemembers & having a fit and fighting force. Secretary Hegseth’s decision is reckless and puts military readiness at risk.”
The criticism followed Hegseth’s announcement on Tuesday that the Department of War is immediately making the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for all active-duty and reserve component service members, as well as Department of War civilians.
In a video posted on X, Hegseth stated that the War Department is “restoring freedom to our Joint Force” by discarding the long-standing mandate.
“We are discarding the mandatory flu vaccine requirement, effective immediately,” Hegseth said.
The policy change is formalized in an official memorandum signed by Hegseth on April 20, 2026, which states that “effective immediately, the annual influenza vaccine is voluntary for all Active and Reserve Component Service members” and Department of War civilian personnel.
Hegseth described the previous universal mandate — in place for roughly seven decades — as “overly broad” and “not rational.” He emphasized that service members remain free to receive the vaccine if they choose, but it will no longer be required.
Crow’s statement underscores concerns raised by some lawmakers and public health experts about the potential impact on force health and readiness, particularly in light of past vaccine policy debates.
The Department of War has indicated that individual military services may request exceptions to maintain requirements in specific cases, with a short window for such requests.
This is a developing story.