ALCOAST 129/24 - MAR 2024 2024 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (SH) INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 201520Z MAR 24   MID120000969457U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 129/24
SSIC 6230
SUBJ: 2024 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 FY24.
6. The 2023-2024 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-2024-southern-hemisphere-
influenza-season

8. The 2024 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 2024 SH flu season is as follows: CVX Code 201.
11. POC: CDR Deborah S. Belsky (CG-1K21), 202-494-0877,
Email: Deborah.Belsky@uscg.mil and CAPT Benjamin C. Keller
(HSWL SC), 757-628-4331, Email: Benjamin.C.Keller@uscg.mil.
12. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Assistant Commandant of Health, Safety,
and Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.