parks
Mandatory flu shots for all military recruits as outbreak sickens nearly 300
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
The Pentagon said Wednesday that boot camps for all the military services are once again requiring the flu vaccination for all recruits after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the shot optional for the military at the end of April.The development, confirmed to The Associated Press by a Pentagon...
Key takeaway Air Force's boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base that has sickened nearly 300 people.
Why this matters in The Waco
The recent outbreak of flu at Lackland Air Force Base, which has sickened nearly 300 people, raises concerns for Waco residents given the city's own experience with infectious diseases in close-quarters environments. While Waco does not have a military boot camp, the city's schools and universities can also be breeding grounds for illness due to their dense populations. The fact that only 40% of new trainees at Lackland opted to receive the flu shot after it became optional is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the potential risks of leaving vaccination decisions to individual choice in high-risk settings. As the flu season approaches, Waco's public health officials would do well to take note of the Lackland outbreak and consider measures to prevent similar outbreaks in the city's own institutions, such as increasing vaccination rates and promoting good hygiene practices.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Pentagon said Wednesday that boot camps for all the military services are once again requiring the flu vaccination for all recruits after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the shot optional for the military at the end of April.The development, confirmed to The Associated Press by a Pentagon...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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