More U.S. troops could soon be suffering from influenza after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the flu vaccine was no longer mandatory for the armed forces."Under the disastrous Biden administration, this Pentagon waged an unrelenting war on our warriors on many fronts, including when it came to denying them simple medical autonomy and the freedom to express their religious convictions," Hegseth said in a statement on Tuesday. "Even when those decisions posed no threat to our military readiness, you know what I'm talking about, what happened: COVID-19 and the vaccine. No more. That era of betrayal is over.""Under President Trump, the War Department continues to take decisive action to once again restore freedom and strength to our joint force," he continued. "We're seizing this moment to discard any absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our warfighting capabilities. In this case, this includes the universal flu vaccine and the mandate behind it."Hegseth argued that the flu vaccine mandate was "overly broad.""If you, an American warrior, entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you are free to take it," he remarked. "But we will not force you because your body, your faith, and your convictions are not negotiable, your health.""It's the kind of common-sense approach we're undertaking in this department. Rest assured that under President Trump, the war department will always honor our brave warriors and do everything we can to restore the American people's trust in their military for generations to come. And that's why I'm proud to sign this new policy."