ALCOAST 282/19 - SEP 2019 2019-2020 ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

united states coast guard

R 050725 SEP 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06230//
ALCOAST 282/19
COMDTNOTE 6230
SUBJ: 2019-2020 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 2020.
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. All immunizations for civilian employees, including the seasonal influenza immunization
shall be obtained through a private Health Care Provider (HCP). 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. Upon obtaining immunization through a private HCP,
civilian employees who are required to have the flu vaccine must provide the following
information to the cognizant clinic administrator NLT 15 January 2020: 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 starting on 1 September 2019. 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), 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 2020.
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 2020. Exemptions to the flu vaccine may be considered IAW REFs (A) and (C).
8. POC: CAPT Shane Steiner (Chief, Preventive Medicine, COMDT (CG-1121)), 202-475-5256, or
Shane.C.Steiner@uscg.mil.
9. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.