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What we know about the flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
By Nate Kotisso at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· July 1, 2026
· 4 min read
Two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth changed the flu vaccine policy from mandatory to optional for U.S. service members, a flu outbreak has spread amongst hundreds of recruits at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Hegseth described the previous mandatory policy as “not rational.” “Our ne...
Key takeaway ” During a June 30 news conference in Washington D.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
The flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has significant implications for the local community, particularly given the base's proximity to Alamo Heights . With hundreds of recruits affected and a reported death, concerns about public health and safety are heightened. The fact that the flu vaccination rate among recruits dropped to roughly 40% after the vaccine mandate was lifted raises questions about the potential for further outbreaks. As a community that interacts closely with the base, Alamo Heights residents may be wondering about the potential risks of transmission and the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the flu. The restoration of the vaccine mandate for Air Force recruits is a positive step, but it remains to be seen how effective this will be in controlling the outbreak. Local residents will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and what steps are taken to protect both the military personnel and the broader community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth changed the flu vaccine policy from mandatory to optional for U.S. service members, a flu outbreak has spread amongst hundreds of recruits at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Hegseth described the previous mandatory policy as “not rational.” “Our ne...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nate Kotisso at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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