Air Force Flu Vaccine Memorandum Sparks Fears of Another “Purge” Among Religious Objectors

A newly circulated Air Force memorandum has quietly expanded the criteria for Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Exceptions to Policy (ETP), effectively creating a system where few, if any, can avoid compromising their religious convictions during their service.

As previously reported over a year ago by The Gateway Pundit, a major Cleveland Clinic study of its workforce during the 2024–2025 respiratory viral season raised significant questions about the influenza vaccine’s effectiveness. The research, which tracked more than 53,000 employees, found that vaccinated working-age adults were statistically more likely to contract influenza compared to their unvaccinated colleagues.

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Against the backdrop of emerging concern over the flu shot’s effectiveness and efficacy, the new Air Force directive directly contradicts the April 20th declaration from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who stated unequivocally that “effective immediately,” neither Active nor Reserve personnel—nor civilian employees of the Department of War—would be compelled to take the influenza vaccine.

The move has ignited immediate concern among service members with religious objections to vaccination, many of whom are still recovering from what one attorney called “the purge” during the COVID-19 era.

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According to the memo, the updated policy mandates that the following personnel receive the annual seasonal influenza vaccine—a requirement that, given the broad categories, will apply to virtually every Air Force member at some point in their career:

• Recruits, training populations, and congregate living
• Rapid Deployment Forces and “no-fail” missions
• Deployed forces
• Healthcare personnel
• Civilian personnel employed in child development and youth services programs; and Air Mobility Command military personnel assigned as aircrew supporting United States Transportation Command taskings; en route care personnel; and executive airlift personnel

“The Air Force in particular has done nothing significant to earn back the trust of those impacted by religious accommodation denials during COVID,” Younts stated.

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When asked who might be behind the push of this new guidance, Younts speculated it likely originated from the Surgeon General’s office. “The medical establishment is either supportive of every vaccine for every situation, or scared to speak ill against any vaccine,” he said.

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For those whose take a religious objection to vaccines, this apprehension about their future is not just personal—it’s systemic. “Without accountability and without genuine oversight,” Younts warned, “there is a real concern the religious accommodation process will once again be abused. And you’ll see another purge.”

(*) Full article: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/air-force-flu-vaccine-memorandum-sparks-fears-another/