local
Flu sickens scores of troops at Air Force base after Pentagon ends vaccine requirement
By Courtney Kube and Daniel Arkin | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· June 20, 2026
· 1 min read
U.S. airmen and trainees have fallen ill after a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, according to a spokesperson for the military branch. The number of sickened troops could be over 200, according to a source at the base.
The outbreak comes less than two months after Secretary of...
Key takeaway The number of sickened troops could be over 200, according to a source at the base.
Why this matters in Frisco News
The flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base has significant implications for the broader North Texas community, given the base's role in training tens of thousands of Air Force recruits each year. As a major military installation in the region, the health and well-being of personnel at Lackland can have a ripple effect on local healthcare systems and economies. The fact that the Air Force has requested an exemption to mandate flu vaccines at the base suggests that military leaders recognize the unique risks associated with bringing large numbers of people together in a training environment. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be important to monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation measures put in place by medical professionals at the base, and to consider the potential long-term consequences of the Pentagon's decision to end the flu vaccine requirement for U.S. troops.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News 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 NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? U.S. airmen and trainees have fallen ill after a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, according to a spokesperson for the military branch. The number of sickened troops could be over 200, according to a source at the base.
The outbreak comes less than two months after Secretary of...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Courtney Kube and Daniel Arkin | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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