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Hegseth cancels ‘absurd’ flu vaccine requirement for ‘brave warriors’ in military
(www.independent.co.uk)
this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2026
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To be honest, I don't really get why you'd get a flu shot? I never heard of these either. Is that an american thing that just passed by me all this time?
It's an international thing, very common in Australia, I also had it when living in the UK. Basically a vaccine against the current strains of the flu. Doesn't completely protect you, but if you do get the flu after having the vaccine, the resulting symptoms tend to be pretty minor. It's pretty important for people who have a tendency for dying when they get the flu, like old people.
Crazy, I've never heard of that. I just looked it up and yeah, it's as you say, mostly for vulnerable people like old people or pregnant women. TIL I guess.
I tend to get it every year, my company offers it for free to all employees. In Aus it's typically free for the elderly but you need to pay for it if you get it at a chemist. Every large employer I've worked for has offered it for free to employees. Is a simple low cost solution for lowering sick leave across the workforce without setting up a toxic culture of working when you're sick.
In Russia, flu vaccination is highly promoted everywhere.
Before the anticipated flu season, vaccination opens in clinics, schools, universities, workplaces, medical vans are positioned in key places so that everyone could easily get a shot wherever they are. In schools, flu vaccination is opt-out, not opt-in. All vaccination, flu or not, is free of charge.
Never knew it's so much different somewhere else. TIL, too.
I got my first one in France this year and I'm so happy about it. Last year my flu was hardcore, in bed for 3 days and this year absolutely nothing. Worth every cent.
Everyone working in public health has to get the shot yearly here. Yearly, because it's about 200 or so types and they mutate quickly.