A friend of mine who runs the activity center at a nursing home went to work last week and found the National Guard there giving out the newer influenza vaccine (ya know, the one the military claims made their soldiers more likely to catch the coronavirus)

It was optional, as you say, but she would not have been allowed into the building if she refused. This is how they will do it. Refuse and parts of society will close their doors on you. Go along with it all, and life will continue as normal.

On a side note, she and many of her co-workers became sick this past weekend. I wonder if it's related to their recent vaccination. The timing is suspect.