ALCOAST 101/23 - MAR 2023 2023 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (SH) INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 141050Z MAR 23 MID200080806939U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 101/23
SSIC 6230
SUBJ: 2023 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (SH) INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION
PROGRAM
A. Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of
Infectious Diseases, COMDTINST M6230.4G
B. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1F
C. Preventive Medicine and Population Health, COMDTINST 6000.7
D. Occupational Medicine Manual, COMDTINST M6260.32
E. Defense Health Agency Interim Procedures Memorandum 20-002,
Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccination Program
1. In accordance with REFs (A) through (D), 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. Traditionally this has been the
Northern Hemisphere (NH) flu vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) licenses another formulation of seasonal flu
vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere (SH).
2. REF (E) provides information on the procurement, administration,
storage and handling of the SH flu vaccine. SH flu vaccine is
indicated and required for all active duty and reserve members of
the CG that are permanently or temporarily assigned for at least 14
days between the 1st of April through the 30th of September of each
year to an area designated by the World Health Organization (WHO)
as part of the SH, south of the equator.
The vaccine should be administered at least 2 weeks prior to entry
into a SH region. Personnel who received an SH flu vaccine, and will
reside or travel to the NH between October and March, must also
receive a NH flu vaccine separated by at least 30 days from receipt
of the SH flu vaccine.
3. CG civilian employees and non-appropriated fund (NAF) employees
should consult with their servicing CG clinic about whether they are
authorized to receive the flu vaccination at CG clinics.
4. All CG health services personnel handling SH flu vaccine
must be familiar with REF (E) which provides information regarding
SH flu vaccine handling and disposition.
5. The SH flu vaccine, supplied by the Defense Logistics
Agency (DLA), will be ordered centrally by the Health, Safety,
and Work-Life Service Center (HSWL SC) and not individually by
each unit. SH flu vaccine was centrally funded by Defense Health
Agency (DHA) for FY23.
6. The 2022-2023 NH flu vaccine does not cover members traveling
to the SH, and those members shall receive a SH flu vaccine if
criteria detailed in REF (E) are met.
7. Additional information on SH flu is available on the DHA
Immunization Healthcare Division website at the following link:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.health.mil/SHflu

and at the World Health Organization website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/recommended-composition-of-
influenza-virus-vaccines-for-use-in-the-2023-southern-hemisphere-
influenza-season

8. The 2023 SH flu vaccine information provided to CG members is as
follows:
Influenza virus vaccine (FLUZONE), Quadrivalent; 0.5 mL single dose
prefilled syringe, 10 syringes without needles per package, for
immunizing persons 6 months old and older, preservative free.
9. All CONUS and OCONUS shipments of SH flu vaccine will include a
temperature monitoring device that is to be deactivated upon receipt
and forwarded immediately to DLA for reading IAW REF (E).
Instructions for return will be included in the flu vaccine
shipments. All units will comply with this requirement or vaccine
may not be released for use. The notation and forwarding of the
tracking number will be forwarded to the HSWL SC vaccine
coordinator, CAPT Benjamin C. Keller (contact below).
10. Documenting the SH flu vaccine in MRRS will be conducted
locally by the clinic HS or IDHS attached to the respective unit.
MRRS coding for the 2023 SH flu season is as follows: CVX Code 201.
11. POC: CAPT John K. Iskander (CG-1121), 202-475-5208, Email:
John.K.Iskander@uscg.mil and CAPT Benjamin C. Keller (HSWL SC),
757-628-4331, Email: Benjamin.C.Keller@uscg.mil.
12. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life
(CG-11), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.