ALCOAST 245/17 - AUG 2017 2017-2018 ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 210900 AUG 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06010//
ALCOAST 245/17
COMDTNOTE 6010
SUBJ:  2017-2018 ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
A. Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious
Diseases, COMDTINST M6230.4 (series)
B. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
C. Civilian Employee Health Care and Occupational Health Program,
COMDTINST M12792.3 (series)
1. Influenza ('flu') is a highly contagious disease which has the
potential to significantly degrade operational readiness. The most
effective strategy to prevent the flu is annual vaccination.
2. Flu vaccination is mandatory for all Coast Guard Active Duty (AD)
and Selected Reserve (SELRES) personnel to ensure force medical
readiness and avoid disruption of Coast Guard missions. In accordance
with REFs (A) through (C), the seasonal flu vaccine is also mandatory
for Child Development Services personnel (including certified Family
Child Care Providers); civilian, contract, and Auxiliary healthcare
personnel who provide direct patient care; and recreation personnel in
the youth programs at Borinquen, Cape Cod, Kodiak, and Petaluma.
3. Flu vaccinations are available at Coast Guard clinics for AD personnel
and for Auxiliary healthcare personnel assigned to Coast Guard clinics.
Contract personnel will obtain the flu vaccine according to the terms of
their contract.
4. Remotely located AD and SELRES personnel have several options for
obtaining flu vaccinations this season:
   a. Personnel who have TRICARE may receive their vaccination from their
Primary Care Provider or from a pharmacy that takes TRICARE.
   b. Prior to 1 October, personnel who do not have TRICARE and who incur
out-of-pocket expenses related to getting a flu shot may request reimbursement
from the Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center using the Claim for
Reimbursement for Expenditures on Official Business, Form OF1164 which can be
found at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/150834. In addition to the
completed OF1164, personnel must submit a copy of the invoice or receipt
provided by the medical facility administering the shot to
SKC Robert Mastrianni (757-628-4372, Robert.M.Mastrianni@uscg.mil). 
Personnel using this option must provide medical documentation of immunization
to their Coast Guard Health Record Custodian. The medical documentation must
include the date the vaccine was administered, the vaccine name or code, the
manufacturer and lot number, the dose administered, route and anatomic site
of vaccination.
   c. Starting on 1 October, remotely located AD and SELRES personnel may
receive their flu vaccination via the Reserve Health Readiness Program (RHRP)
through an RHRP contracted clinic, an RHRP approved pharmacy, or the RHRP
Walgreens Walk-in option. These personnel should call 877-437-6313 to schedule
a flu vaccination. Those who would like to use the Walgreens Walk-in option
must specifically request it when they call RHRP.
5. Coast Guard civilian employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health
Benefits Program (FEHBP) can be immunized through their health plan at no
out-of-pocket cost. Many FEHBP health plans make the flu vaccine available
in pharmacies and other convenient community locations. Coast Guard civilian
employees who are not insured through the FEHBP and who are required to be
immunized against the flu shall complete the Claim for Reimbursement for
Expenditures on Official Business, Form OF1164 (as described in paragraph 4.b)
to obtain reimbursement from COMDT (CG-832). Ms. Regina Cash and Mr. Felix Edozie
are the COMDT (CG-832) POCs regarding the reimbursement process. Civilian
employees who are required to have the flu vaccine must provide the following
information to the cognizant clinic administrator NLT 15 December 2017: the date
the vaccine was administered, the vaccine name or code, the manufacturer and lot
number, the dose administered, route and anatomic site of vaccination, the date
the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) was provided, and the VIS version date.
6. Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) employees should obtain the flu vaccination
through their nonappropriated fund health insurance or other health insurance
coverage available. Those employees who are not part of the NAF health benefits
plan and are mandated to obtain the flu vaccine in accordance with Paragraph 2,
above, may complete the Claim for Reimbursement for Expenditures on Official Business,
Form OF1164 (as described in paragraph 4.b), and submit the form and the immunization
receipt to their supervisors for approval and submission to Ms. Virginia Cameron,
Human Resources Director in the Community Services Command, for payment. NAF employees
who are required to have the flu vaccine must provide appropriate documentation as
described in Paragraph 5 to their supervisor NLT 15 December 2017.
7. The annual flu vaccine is available through the Coast Guard only in an
injectable form. In June 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that the nasal form of
the vaccine ('Flumist') not be used because it has been shown to be ineffective
at preventing the flu. Coast Guard personnel, both military and civilian, should
not receive Flumist if it is offered, as it does not fulfill Coast Guard requirements
IAW REFs (A) and (B). TRICARE, RHRP, FEHBP, NAF health benefit plan, and the Coast
Guard will not reimburse for Flumist this year.
8. Commanding officers are responsible for ensuring medical readiness, including
compliance with the annual flu vaccine requirement. Military personnel shall receive
the flu vaccine as supplies become available. A vaccination rate of 90% or greater for
military personnel is targeted NLT 15 December 2017. Exemptions to the flu vaccine may
be considered in accordance with REFs (A) and (C).
9. POC: CDR Shane Steiner (Chief, Preventive Medicine, COMDT (CG-1121)), 202-475-5256,
E-mail: Shane.C.Steiner@uscg.mil.
10. RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, Sends.
11. Internet release authorized.