US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the flu vaccine will no longer be compulsory for American military personnel, citing principles of "medical autonomy" and religious freedom. Hegseth described the previous mandate as "overreaching" and said it weakened combat readiness, though individual military services have a 15-day window to request the requirement be kept in place for their branch. The move is part of a broader rollback of vaccine policies under President Donald Trump, who has also reversed recommendations for childhood flu shots — a step currently challenged in federal court.