parks
The Pentagon's flu vaccine policy change created an 'epidemiological time bomb' at Lackland
By Bonnie Petrie at Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
A month after flu shots became voluntary, influenza began to burn through boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base. Hundreds have been sickened, and infectious diseases experts are not surprised.
Key takeaway Hundreds have been sickened, and infectious diseases experts are not surprised.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The outbreak of influenza at Lackland Air Force Base has significant implications for San Antonio 's public health landscape. As a major military training facility, Lackland draws thousands of recruits from across the country, creating a unique environment where diseases can spread quickly. The base's proximity to the city also raises concerns about the potential for the flu to spread beyond the base and into the broader community. San Antonio's health officials will be closely watching the situation, as the city's own flu season is likely to coincide with the ongoing outbreak at Lackland. The economic impact of a widespread flu outbreak could also be substantial, affecting local businesses and healthcare systems. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial for city and military leaders to coordinate their response and communicate effectively with the public to mitigate the risks.
About this story
Original reporting by Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News . The San Antonio 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 Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A month after flu shots became voluntary, influenza began to burn through boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base. Hundreds have been sickened, and infectious diseases experts are not surprised.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bonnie Petrie at Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News. To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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