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Flu Shot Rules for 2026-27: Who Has to Get It and Who Doesn't

MARADMIN 383/26·August 21, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps published its annual flu vaccine guidance for the 2026-27 season on 21 August 2026. This year's policy makes the flu shot optional for most Marines, but required for specific groups. If you fall into one of those categories, your command is responsible for tracking you and ensuring you're compliant, and there's a hard deadline.

Heads up: The flu shot is optional for most reservists, but if you're a healthcare provider, CBRN response member, or on Title 10 orders in certain settings, it's required.

Who it affects

Most RC Marines are NOT required to get the flu shot. However, it is mandatory for:

  • RC healthcare personnel (HCP) who provide direct or indirect patient care, or who are potentially exposed to infectious agents
  • All RC Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Enhanced Response Enterprise members, regardless of current order status
  • RC personnel activated on Title 10 orders for deployment (you follow theater entry requirements)
  • RC personnel on Title 10 orders for formal military or nominative training in congregated settings (you follow Military Department requirements)

If you're a standard drilling reservist with none of those roles, the shot is encouraged but not required.

What you need to do

If you're in a required category:

  1. Get vaccinated through your unit medical or an authorized provider.
  2. If you get vaccinated at a retail pharmacy, bring documentation to your next drill or duty day. You'll need: the date administered, vaccine name or code, manufacturer, expiration date, and lot number.
  3. Do not use FluMist (intranasal, self-administered from a retail pharmacy). It will not be accepted.
  4. Make sure your vaccination is recorded in Medical Readiness Reporting System (MRRS). If your command doesn't have MRRS access, contact your local MRRS security officer or the HQMC POC listed below.

If you're not in a required category:

Nothing required. Getting the shot is encouraged for readiness, but it's your call.

For leaders and SNCOs:

Your command owns identification and tracking of required personnel. Compliance must be documented in MRRS. Units have three working days after receiving a vaccine shipment to begin administering and reporting vaccinations. If that 72-hour window can't be met, submit a situation report to your Immediate Superior in Command.

Key dates

  • 15 December 2026: AC deadline for 100% compliance among required personnel. RC-specific deadlines are not explicitly stated in this MARADMIN. Check with your S-1 or unit medical officer for RC compliance windows.

The official version

See MARADMIN 383/26 for the full text.

HQMC POCs:

  • CDR Alfred Smith, Director of Public Health: alfred.g.smith.mil@usmc.mil / 703-697-0424
  • HMCS Gabriel Michaels, MRRS Coordinator: gabriel.a.michaels.mil@usmc.mil / 703-604-4597

MRRS access requests: https://mrrscloud.dc3n.navy.mil/mrrs/secure/welcome.m MRRS Program Office: usn.mid-south.chnavpersmiltn.mbx.mill-mrrs@us.navy.mil

Referenced instructions include BUMEDINST 6230.15B (immunizations), BUMEDINST 6220.12D (medical surveillance), and DODI 6025.19 (individual medical readiness).

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • USW Memo – Updated Guidance on Influenza Vaccination (Ref A)Reference

    This memo establishes which personnel are required versus optional for flu vaccination in 2026-27. It is the primary policy document driving the requirements in this MARADMIN.

  • USW Memo – Consolidated Annual Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Exception to Policy for Reserve Components (Ref B)Reference

    This memo provides the specific exception-to-policy framework for Reserve Component flu vaccination. Reserve Marines should understand how it modifies standard requirements for their component.

  • Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis Instruction (BUMEDINST 6230.15B)Reference

    This Navy Medicine instruction defines who counts as initial entry training personnel for vaccination purposes. It underpins the requirement for recruits and officer accession program participants to receive the flu vaccine.

  • Accommodation of Religious Practices (SECNAVINST 1730.8B)Reference

    This Secretary of the Navy instruction governs how religious accommodation requests are handled. It is one of the authorities for granting vaccine exemptions on administrative or religious grounds.

  • Immunization Exemptions for Religious Beliefs (MILPERSMAN 1730-020)Reference

    This personnel manual article outlines the process for Navy and Marine Corps members seeking a religious exemption from immunization requirements. Reservists who wish to request such an exemption should be familiar with it.

  • Accommodation of Religious Practices in the Marine Corps (MCO 1730.9)Reference

    This Marine Corps Order provides Marine-specific procedures for religious accommodation, including vaccine exemptions. It works alongside SECNAVINST 1730.8B and MILPERSMAN 1730-020 for Marines requesting exemptions.

  • Medical Surveillance and Response (BUMEDINST 6220.12D)Reference

    This instruction governs surveillance of influenza-like illness and the reporting and response to outbreaks. Senior Medical Department Representatives at Reserve units use it to guide their outbreak monitoring duties.

  • DoD Individual Medical Readiness Program (DoDI 6025.19)Reference

    This DoD instruction establishes the Individual Medical Readiness program that MRRS supports. It is the authority basis for tracking and reporting flu vaccine compliance across the force.

  • DepSecDef Memo – Updated Policy on Seasonal Influenza Immunizations (Ref I)Reference

    This Deputy Secretary of Defense memo updates DoD-wide policy on seasonal flu immunizations. It informs the overarching policy framework that this MARADMIN implements at the Marine Corps level.

  • Medical Readiness Reporting System (MRRS) portal

    MRRS is the authorized platform for tracking flu vaccine compliance for both Active and Reserve Component personnel. Command-designated personnel must use this portal to monitor who is compliant and to submit system access authorization requests.

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