ALCOAST 356/20 - SEP 2020 2020-2021 ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 231201 SEP 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06230//
ALCOAST 356/20
COMDTNOTE 6230
SUBJ:  2020-2021 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)
D. Defense Health Agency Procedural Instruction 6025.34, Influenza Vaccination Program
E. Decision Memo 22Sep2020, Address Annual Influenza Vaccine Delayed Shipment Concerns
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 and/or reduce
its impact, is annual vaccination. In addition to vaccination, many activities we are using
to prevent the spread of COVID-19, e.g. social distancing, mask wearing, and improved hand
hygiene will also reduce transmission of influenza.
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 (D), 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 2021.
3. Defense Logistics Agency informed the Services that some vaccine may be delayed this season
until the middle of November. If this delay actualizes then upwards of 50% of Coast Guard’s
allocation may be impacted. IAW REF (E), Coast Guard MTF's shall prioritize medical staff,
pregnant members, accession point staff, trainees, personnel critical to Coast Guard operations
and mission support working within congregate settings, with initial allocation of vaccine.
Recommend active duty and dependents with underlying co-morbidities, as defined by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm, receive the
vaccine at earliest convenience.
4. 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.
5. 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, which 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.
6. 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 2021: 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.
7. For Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) personnel, Coast Guard Community Services Command is offering
Walgreens flu shot vouchers for CDC employees starting on 1 September 2020. 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 2021.
8. 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 2021. Exemptions to the flu vaccine may be considered IAW REFs (A) and (C).
9. POC: LCDR Iman Martin, Chief, Preventive Medicine and Population Health, COMDT (CG-1121),
202-475-5208, or Iman.K.Martin@uscg.mil.
10. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.