Pentagon eases flu vaccine mandate for reservists amid growing military skepticism over vaccines
By bellecarter // 2025-09-28
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  • The DoD quietly exempted National Guard and Reserve members from mandatory flu vaccines unless mobilized for 30+ consecutive days. Active-duty personnel must still comply or seek exemptions.
  • The shift follows mass discharges over COVID-19 vaccine refusals—8,000+ expelled, with fewer than 150 reinstated despite a 2023 executive order. Veterans warn of "billions in lost expertise" as many left voluntarily to avoid punishment.
  • Military skepticism has surged due to safety concerns. Lt. Col. Theresa Long (flight surgeon) stated that service members have lost confidence in regulatory agencies' ability to ensure vaccine safety.
  • Advocates like Pam Long (Children’s Health Defense) call the policy change superficial, noting reservists still face mandates if activated. Dishonorable discharges for flu refusal also jeopardize careers (e.g., pilots barred from commercial aviation).
  • The Pentagon's back-pay initiative for discharged troops has seen only 13 returnees. Critics tie the policy shift to recruitment struggles and "peacetime" readiness disruptions costing "billions in human assets."
The Department of Defense (DoD) has quietly revised its flu vaccine policy, exempting reservists and National Guard members from mandatory immunization unless they serve 30 consecutive days or more on active duty. The change, outlined in a May 29 memo obtained by the Associated Press, reflects growing skepticism among service members about vaccine safety and mandates—an issue that intensified during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While active-duty troops remain required to receive the annual flu shot, the shift signals a rare concession amid years of contentious military vaccine policies. The updated directive, signed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, states that reservists will no longer be compelled to get vaccinated unless mobilized for extended duty. Those who voluntarily opt for the flu shot will not be reimbursed by the DoD. Active-duty personnel, however, must still comply or seek exemptions. The adjustment arrives as the military grapples with the aftermath of its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which led to the discharge of thousands of service members. Despite a 2023 executive order allowing their reinstatement, fewer than 150 have returned—a fraction of the estimated 8,000 expelled for refusal. Pam Long, director of Children's Health Defense Military Chapter and an Army veteran, noted that many more left voluntarily to avoid punitive measures, costing the military "billions in lost expertise." Flight surgeon Lt. Col. Theresa Long told The Defender that skepticism about vaccines has surged within the ranks. "Service members are struggling with the loss of confidence in regulatory agencies to ensure these [vaccines] are truly safe," she said, speaking in a personal capacity.

Financial and readiness concerns drive change

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, the policy revision is minimal—reservists must still vaccinate if activated—and primarily protects lucrative contracts with pharmaceutical suppliers. Pam Long dismissed the move as "minor," emphasizing that broader concerns remain unaddressed, including dishonorable discharges for flu vaccine refusal, which can permanently bar pilots from commercial aviation careers. (Related: Trump pledges to reinstate troops discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusal, offers back pay.) The financial toll of COVID-19 mandates has been staggering. "The loss of millions, perhaps billions, in human assets disrupted our force like never before in peacetime," Theresa Long said. Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s back-pay initiative to lure back discharged troops has seen dismal results, with just 13 soldiers rejoining as of recent reports.

Military vaccine mandates under scrutiny

The flu policy shift follows years of controversy over military immunization requirements. The COVID-19 mandate, defended as essential for readiness, faced legal challenges and widespread resistance, with some service members citing religious or health objections. The Pentagon's stance on flu vaccines—long considered routine—now appears flexible for reservists, suggesting a cautious recalibration amid recruitment crises and eroding trust. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indirectly highlighted the change by resharing a National Guard member's celebratory post: "I won't be forced to get a flu shot this fall for the privilege of serving my state and country." Yet the Pentagon has not publicly announced the policy, leaving questions about its full implications. The Pentagon's partial retreat on flu vaccine mandates underscores the military's delicate balance between medical readiness and individual autonomy. While active-duty troops remain bound by the requirement, the exemption for reservists signals a concession to dissent—one that may foreshadow further adjustments as recruitment struggles persist. For now, the policy revision offers limited relief, leaving unresolved the deeper fractures caused by years of contentious vaccine mandates. Watch the video below that talks about the end of all vaccine mandates. This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org 1 ChildrensHealthDefense.org 2 Brighteon.ai APNews.com Brighteon.com
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