Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on April 21, 2026, that the Department of War has completely eliminated the mandatory annual influenza vaccine requirement for all U.S. service members and civilian personnel.
In a video posted to X, Hegseth declared: “The War Department is once again restoring freedom to our Joint Force. We are discarding the mandatory flu vaccine requirement, effective immediately.”
He signed an updated memorandum that makes the annual flu vaccine voluntary for every active-duty and reserve component service member, as well as Department of War civilian employees.
“Our new policy is simple,” Hegseth said. “If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you are free to take it; you should. But we will not force you.”
Hegseth described the former mandate as “overly broad and not rational,” arguing that service members should no longer be forced to choose between their conscience and their country when the vaccine posed no direct threat to military readiness.
From Partial Relaxation to Full Repeal
The new policy goes significantly further than a May 29, 2025 memorandum issued by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. That earlier guidance had only partially relaxed the requirement by adding exemptions (especially for reservists and National Guard members) and limiting the mandate to situations where the vaccine “most directly contributes to readiness.”
Today’s memorandum fully rescinds the mandate across the entire force, effective immediately.
Hegseth framed the change as part of the department’s broader effort under President Trump to eliminate what it views as unnecessary mandates that undermine individual liberty and warfighting readiness.