parks
Pentagon restores mandatory flu shots for all recruits as boot camp outbreak sickens nearly 300
By The Associated Press at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 1 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.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The Pentagon's decision to restore mandatory flu shots for all recruits is likely to have a direct impact on El Paso 's own Fort Bliss, a major military installation in the region. As a significant economic driver and employer in the area, the health and well-being of Fort Bliss personnel is closely tied to the overall health of the local community. With nearly 300 recruits already sickened by a boot camp outbreak, the renewed emphasis on flu vaccination is a crucial step in preventing further spread of the illness. El Paso residents can expect to see increased efforts to promote flu vaccination and prevent outbreaks at Fort Bliss, which will in turn help protect the broader community from the spread of flu. The city's public health infrastructure will likely play a supporting role in these efforts, underscoring the interconnectedness of military and civilian health in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso 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 KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 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.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Associated Press at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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