ALCOAST 348/23 - SEP 2023 2023-2024 NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (NH) ANNUAL INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/27/2023 07:02 AM EDT

united states coast guard

R 271041Z SEP 23   MID600053366143U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS 
ALCOAST 348/23
SSIC 6230
SUBJ:  2023-2024 NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (NH) ANNUAL 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. Coast Guard Occupational Medicine Manual, COMDTINST 6260.32
D. Defense Health Agency Procedural Instruction 6025.34, Influenza
Vaccination Program
1. Influenza ('flu') is a highly contagious respiratory illness with
the potential to significantly degrade operational readiness. The
is most effective strategy to prevent the flu, and reduce its
impact, annual vaccination. Additional activities to prevent the
spread of upper respiratory viruses include improved hand hygiene,
social distancing and mask wearing.
2. Annual 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 2024.
3. Additional information about the 2023-2024 NH flu vaccine can be 
found at the following website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
 
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2022-2023/flu-vaccination-
recommendations-adopted.htm
4. Flu vaccinations are available at Coast Guard clinics for AD and
SELRES personnel and for Auxiliary healthcare personnel assigned to
Coast Guard clinics. A list of Coast Guard clinics supporting all
units in the Coast Guard can be found at the following website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
 
https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/:w:/r/sites/hswlsc/_layouts/15/Doc.
aspx?sourcedoc=%7B6360E853-4E51-4CCD-BD3A-91B01DB8495F%7D&file=
HSWL%20Clinic%20POC%202023.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true
5. Remotely assigned AD and SELRES personnel have several options
for obtaining flu vaccinations this season:
    a. Personnel who have TRICARE (including TRICARE Prime Remote and
TRICARE Reserve Select) may receive their vaccination from their 
Primary Care Provider or from a pharmacy that accepts TRICARE. All 
vaccines administered through the TRICARE 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 Remote Health Readiness Program (RHRP)
from an RHRP contracted clinic or, in the case of SELRES personnel,
using the RHRP Walgreens Walk-in option.
    c. An RHRP Walgreens Walk-in flu voucher can be ordered by SELRES
personnel directly from the RHRP Service Member Portal (SMP). The
downloaded voucher can be used at any Walgreens in the US. The 
Walgreens flu voucher ordering will be in place via the SMP on
9/15/2023.
        i. The following are the steps for requesting a flu shot
through the RHRP SMP after 9/15:
            (1) Step 1: Go to the following URL and enter your username
                  and password:
                  (Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
 
                  https://smp.qtcm.com
            (2) Step 2: Once logged in, click "Order Walgreens Flu Shot"
                  under the banner Request  Medical Services. 
            (3) Step 3: Confirm that you want to order a flu shot by 
                 clicking on "Yes, I confirm". 
            (4) Step 4: Click "OK". 
            (5) Step 5: Once the request is processed, click the 
                 "Voucher" link on the dashboard and download for use at 
                 any Walgreens. Click the download icon "Voucher-
                 immunizations-Stand Alone, Influenza-Injectable 
                 (ODC Cost)". 
6. Contract personnel will obtain the flu vaccine according to the  
terms of their contract.
7. 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 Civil Service 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, civil 
service employees who are required to have the flu vaccine must
provide the following information to the cognizant clinic 
administrator NLT 15 January 2024: 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.
8. 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 2023. 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 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 2, to their supervisor NLT 15 January 2024.
9. Commanding officers are responsible for ensuring medical
readiness, including compliance with the annual flu vaccine
requirement. A goal vaccination rate of 100% for military personnel
is targeted NLT 15 January 2024. Exemptions to the flu vaccine
requirement may be considered IAW REFs (A) and (C).
10. POC: CDR Deborah Belsky, Chief, Force Health Protection,
COMDT (CG-1K21), 202-475-5212, or Deborah.Belsky@uscg.mil.
11. POC: CAPT Christopher Janik (CG-1K21), 202-475-5171. Email:
Christopher.Janik@uscg.mil.
12. POC: CAPT Benjamin C. Keller (HSWL SC), 757-628-4331, Email:
Benjamin.C.Keller@uscg.mil. 
13. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, 
& Work-Life, (CG-1K), sends.
14. Internet release is authorized.