ALCOAST 308/18-SEPT 2018 2018-2019 ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 041120 SEPT 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 308/18
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ:  2018-2019 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. Coast Guard Occupational Medicine Manual, COMDTINST M6260.32 (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. IAW REFs (A) through (C), the seasonal flu vaccine is also mandatory for Child
Development Services (CDC) 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. Flu
vaccination must be recorded no later than 15 January 2019.
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. Remotely located AD and SELRES personnel may receive their flu vaccination via the
Reserve Health Readiness Program (RHRP) through an RHRP contracted clinic or the RHRP Walgreens
Walk-in option. These Personnel should contact their servicing Coast Guard clinic to place an
order. A list of Coast Guard clinics supporting all units in the Coast Guard can be found at:
https://www.reserve.uscg.mil/Portals/2/Documents/PDF/HSWL_HRC_list_SELRES%232.pdf?ver=2018-08-17-135417-933.
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 must complete the Claim for Reimbursement for Expenditures on Official
Business, Form OF1164, in order 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 January 2019: 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. For Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) personnel, Coast Guard Community Services Command is
offering Walgreens flu shot vouchers for CDC employees. CDC supervisors can provide information
about this option. Otherwise, NAF employees may obtain the flu vaccination through their NAF 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 IAW Paragraph 2 above may
complete the Claim for Reimbursement for Expenditures on Official Business, Form OF1164
(as described in paragraph 5.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 January 2019.
7. Commanding officers are responsible for ensuring medical readiness, including compliance with
the annual flu vaccine requirement. Military personnel must receive the flu vaccine as supplies
become available. A vaccination rate of 90% or greater for military personnel is targeted
NLT 15 January 2019. Exemptions to the flu vaccine may be considered IAW REFs (A) and (C).
8. POC: CDR Shane Steiner (Chief, Preventive Medicine, COMDT (CG-1121)), 202-475-5256, or
Shane.C.Steiner@uscg.mil.
9. RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
10. Internet release authorized.