An influenza outbreak has reportedly sickened more than 150 military recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, raising concerns over health policy changes and crowded training conditions. The base, part of Joint Base San Antonio, houses tens of thousands of personnel in close-quarter dormitories and shared facilities, which can increase the risk of airborne disease spread. The incident comes shortly after U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccinations for military personnel, citing concerns over medical mandates and personal freedom. Officials have not yet confirmed the full cause or scope of the outbreak, but the situation has sparked renewed debate over vaccination policy and military readiness.

The basic training facility for the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, is experiencing a flu outbreak with at least 159 cases, two sources told ABC News.

Dozens of service members at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have fallen ill with the flu in the weeks since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rescinded the vaccine mandate, sources…

Reports say Texas recruits ill from outbreak, which comes weeks after defense secretary made flu vaccine optional

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon was canceling what he called the ‘absurd’ requirement to get a yearly flu shot

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyle(AFP/Getty)A flu outbreak at Lackland Air…

An influenza outbreak has reportedly sickened more than 150 military recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, raising concerns over health policy changes and crowded training…

Epidemia influenzale tra i militari della base aerea. Solo pochi mesi prima il ministro novax aveva abolito l’obbligo del siero

A major flu outbreak has hit Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, less than two months after Pete Hegseth dropped the requirement for flu vaccines.

The outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base has reportedly hospitalized two recruits, though the number of cases and hospitalizations may be higher.

Hegseth abolisce l'obbligo vaccinale ad aprile, e ora 160 reclute si ammalano di influenza in Texas. Una morte sotto indagine

The number of sickened troops could be over 200, according to a source at the base.