Flu Outbreak Among Air Force Recruits Prompts Isolation and Antiviral Treatment at Joint Base San Antonio

At least 159 flu cases and two hospitalizations have been recorded among Air Force recruits at Joint Base San Antonio as of June 18, 2026, according to two sources familiar with the matter. One source said the actual numbers may be higher.

U.S. Military personnel, both active and reserve. The vaccine had been mandatory since 1945, except for a brief period after 1949 when the requirement was withdrawn before being reinstated in the early 1950s. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed a localized influenza outbreak among trainees at Basic Military Training over the last three weeks.

Medical professionals and Public Health officials have implemented mitigation measures to isolate and treat symptomatic trainees, the spokesperson said. Symptomatic trainees are receiving antiviral medications such as Tamiflu, and cleared trainees will return to training after medical clearance, the statement added.

The flu vaccination rate among recruits at the San Antonio base has fallen to 40 percent since the mandate was lifted, down from nearly 100 percent previously, according to the two sources.

The Pentagon has granted exceptions to the policy for the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, and Defense Health Agency, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told ABC News. The decisions were based on thorough risk assessments and are designed to maximize operational readiness, lethality, and force generation, while safeguarding at-risk populations, Parnell said.

The death of recruit Keon McDaniel is under investigation.

McDaniel was in his sixth week of Basic Military Training when he experienced a medical emergency on June 12, 2026. He was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he subsequently died. A comprehensive medical review is being conducted to determine the facts, according to the Air Force.