ALCOAST 170/25 - APR 2025 2025 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (SH) INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

R 071820Z APR 25 MID120001840320U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 170/25
SSIC 6230
SUBJ: 2025 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (SH) INFLUENZA (FLU) IMMUNIZATION
PROGRAM
A. Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of
Infectious Diseases, COMDTINST 6230.4G
B. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST 6000.1F
C. Preventive Medicine and Population Health, COMDTINST 6000.7
D. Occupational Medicine Manual, COMDTINST 6260.32
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 Coast Guard 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. The vaccine should be administered at least
2 weeks prior to entry into an 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. Coast Guard civilian employees and non-appropriated fund (NAF)
employees should consult with their servicing Coast Guard clinic
about whether they are authorized to receive the flu vaccination at
Coast Guard clinics.
4. All Coast Guard 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.
6. The 2024-2025 NH flu vaccine does not cover members traveling to
the SH, and those members shall receive an 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/news/item/27-09-2024-recommendations-announced
-for-influenza-vaccine-composition-for-the-2025-southern-hemisphere-
influenza-season

8. The 2025 SH flu vaccine information provided to Coast Guard
members is as follows: Influenza virus vaccine (FLUZONE TRI SH),
Tririvalent; 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, CDR Christopher McKnight (contact information below).
10. Documenting the SH flu vaccine in MRRS and MHS Genesis will be
conducted locally by the clinic HS or IDHS attached to the
respective unit. MRRS coding for the 2025 SH flu season is as
follows: CVX Code 194, unless further guidance is published by
the CDC.
11. POC: CDR Gretchen Buckler (CG-1K21), 202-394-4440,
Email: Aileen.G.Buckler@uscg.mil and CDR Christopher McKnight
(HSWL SC), 251-544-7466, Email: Christopher.R.McKnight@uscg.mil.
12. RADM Paul Jung, Assistant Commandant of Health, Safety, and
Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.