After the U.S. defense secretary lifted the military's vaccine mandate, about 160 people contracted the flu at an air base, the Liberty Times reported.

The cluster fuels debate over the effects of the policy shift: some say ending the mandate widened personal choice, while others worry it raised infection risk in crowded settings.

Environments like military barracks, where many live together in tight quarters, let respiratory illness spread fast. Health authorities stress pairing vaccines with basics such as ventilation, isolation and early testing.

This paper does not declare the policy right or wrong but notes the basics of public health. Seasonal respiratory illness is a common risk for Chinese families too, so following prevention guidance helps.