ALCOAST 337/22 - SEP 2022 2022-2023 NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (NH) ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 131516Z SEP 22 MID200080195971U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 337/22
SSIC 6230
SUBJ: 2022-2023 NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (NH) ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU)
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
A. Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of
Infectious Diseases, COMDTINST M6230.4D
B. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1F
C. Coast Guard Occupational Medicine Manual, COMDTINST 6260.32
D. Defense Health Agency Procedural Instruction 6025.34, Influenza
Vaccination Program
E. Decision Memo, Annual Influenza Vaccine Requirement
1. Influenza ('flu') is a highly contagious disease, with the
potential to significantly degrade operational readiness. The most
effective strategy to prevent the flu, and reduce its impact, is
annual vaccination. In addition to vaccination, many activities we
are using to prevent the spread of COVID-19, e.g. mask wearing and
improved hand hygiene, will also reduce transmission of influenza.
2. Flu immunization is mandatory for all Coast Guard Active
Duty (AD) and Selected Reserve (SELRES) personnel to ensure force
medical readiness and avoid disruption to Coast Guard missions.
IAW REFs (A) through (D), the seasonal flu vaccine is also mandatory
for Child Development Center (CDC) personnel (including 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 2023.
3. Additional information about the 2022-2023 NH flu vaccine can be
found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7101a1.htm#:~:text=Those
%20who%20have%20not%20previously,should%20be%20%E2%89%A54%20weeks

4. Flu vaccinations are available at Coast Guard clinics for AD and
SELRES 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 assigned 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 accepts TRICARE.
All vaccines administered within the TRCARE network must be reported
to the servicing Coast Guard clinic or sickbay to ensure proper
recording.
b. Remotely assigned 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:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

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 General Schedule (GS)
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, GS civilian employees who are required to have the flu vaccine
must provide the following information to the cognizant clinic
administrator NLT 15 January 2023: the date the vaccine was
administered, the vaccine name or code, the manufacturer and lot
number, the dose administered, route and 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 and
Youth Program employees starting on 1 September 2022. CDC and Youth
Program supervisors will provide information about this option.
Otherwise, NAF employees may obtain the flu vaccination through
their NAF health insurance or other health insurance coverage. Those
employees who are not part of the NAF health benefits plan and are
mandated to obtain the flu vaccine must use the Walgreens voucher if
they wish to have their expenses covered. If there are no Walgreens
in the immediate area, employees, IAW Paragraph 2 above, may
complete Form OF1164 (as described in paragraph 5) and submit the
form and the immunization receipt to their supervisor for approval
and submission to Kristi Mowry, Kristi.Mowry@cgexchange.org, Human
Resources Benefits Manager, Community Services Command. 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 2023.
8. Commanding officers are responsible for ensuring medical
readiness, including compliance with the annual flu vaccine
requirement. A vaccination rate of 100% for military personnel is
targeted NLT 15 January 2023. Exemptions to the flu vaccine
requirement may be considered IAW REFs (A) and (C).
9. POC: CAPT John Iskander, Chief, Preventive Medicine and
Population Health, COMDT (CG-1121), 202-475-5208, or
John.K.Iskander@uscg.mil.
10. POC: CAPT Benjamin C. Keller (HSWL SC), 757-628-4331, Email:
Benjamin.C.Keller@uscg.mil.
11. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life,
(CG-11), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.