Military branches restore flu shot requirement after virus swept through base
Historical requirements
It remains unclear what strain of flu is circulating in the base. Circulation of seasonal influenza viruses tends to be low during the summer amid the general population. But activity does not fall to zero, and the close quarters and extensive contact within a base make it easy for transmission to skyrocket.
In a statement to Ars Technica, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that the Pentagon had granted exceptions to Hegseth’s optional flu shot policy to the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, and the Defense Health Agency. The exceptions came after a “comprehensive review” and are in line with a standard policy of “adapting force health protection measures to critical operational realities.”
“The decisions were based upon thorough risk assessments and are designed to maximize operational readiness, lethality, and force generation, while safeguarding at-risk populations,” Parnell said.
With the exception, the Air Force is aiming to...
Copyright of this story solely belongs to arstechnica.com. To see the full text click HERE
