MADISON, Wis. — On Tuesday, Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US military will no longer require the flu vaccine for service members.
Representative Udell (D-47th District) released the following statement:
“Secretary Hegseth’s decision is a moral and operational nightmare, and our soldiers aren’t the only ones endangered by Trump’s war on public health. Recently, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices removed federal recommendations for children to receive vaccinations against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningitis. This committee’s membership was fully replaced by the Trump Administration, and its recommendations influence whether doctors can administer vaccines and whether insurance will cover them.
“We already know how this will go. This year, the United States has seen over 1,800 cases of measles, which was considered eradicated twenty-six years ago. The victims are primarily unvaccinated kids. Reducing vaccination access and requirements causes devastating resurgences of disease.
“Whether our children or our soldiers, Trump’s government is undermining the health of the American people.”
