UNCLASSIFIED
ROUTINE
R 192209Z AUG 15
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO NAVADMIN
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NAVADMIN 198/15

MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS/AUG//

SUBJ/2015-2016 NAVY INFLUENZA VACCINATION AND REPORTING POLICY//

REF/A/INST/DOD/02OCT2013//
REF/B/MEMO/OASD (HA)/04APR2008//
REF/C/DOC/32 CFR PART 199/10DEC2009//
NARR/Ref A is DODI 6025.19 individual medical readiness addressing 
responsibilities and procedures for monitoring and on Individual Medical 
Readiness (IMR).  Ref B is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health 
Affairs memo, mandating Department of Defense (DOD) civilian healthcare 
worker influenza immunizations.  Ref C is 32 CFR part 199.21, civilian health 
and medical program of the uniformed services (CHAMPUS)/TRICARE:  inclusion 
of retail network pharmacies as authorized TRICARE providers for the 
administration of TRICARE covered vaccines.// 
POC/HMCM Dianne Seymour/Loc:  Wash DC/(703) 571-2949/Email: 
dianne.seymour@navy.mil//

RMKS/1.  Influenza or "flu" has the potential to adversely impact Navy force 
readiness and mission execution.  Influenza results in more than 25 million 
reported cases, 150,000 hospitalizations for serious complications and 
approximately 24,000 deaths each year in the United States.

2.  The following influenza vaccination and reporting policy is promulgated:
    a.  Influenza Prevention.  Vaccination is the primary method to reduce 
risk of influenza by enhancing force immunity.  Maintaining a clean work 
environment, good hygiene practices, and managing workforce exposure (e.g., 
social distancing, tele-working, sick leave, etc.) are effective methods to 
reduce the risk of spreading influenza.
    b.  Influenza Vaccine.  Both injectable and intranasal vaccines will be 
available for the 2015-2016 influenza seasons.
    c.  Influenza Vaccine Priority.  U.S. Navy ships and fleet assets have 
been identified by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as a vaccine priority 
group for the 2015-2016 influenza season.
    d.  Influenza Vaccine Requisitions.  The Navy on-line Vaccine Information 
and Logistics System (VIALS) is the requisition system tool for seasonal 
influenza vaccines.  VIALS is used to individually track requisitioned 
vaccines via military standard requisitioning and issuing procedures and 
simplify vaccine requisitions to enable electronic tracking of vaccine orders 
from requisition to receipt. The VIALS website is Common Access Card (CAC) 
enabled.  Please visit: Https://gov_only.nmlc.med.navy.mil/int_code03/vials/.
    e.  Influenza Vaccine Ordering.  Navy influenza vaccine is batch-ordered 
by Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) from the DLA using command 
requirements in Navy VIALS.  Navy influenza vaccine is centrally funded vice 
individual Navy command funded.
    f.  Influenza Vaccine Shipping.  Vaccine shipping schedule is 
Monday/Friday to Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) locations and 
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday to Contiguous United States (CONUS) locations to 
ensure receipt on the receiving end.  DLA Troop Support Medical (DLA-TSM) 
does not ship on holidays or weekends, over holidays, and will only ship on 
Thursdays on a case by case basis.
    g.  Influenza Vaccine Integrity:
        (1) Active Duty Commands.  All shipments will arrive with temperature 
monitors.  Monitors must be returned to the DLA-TSM cold chain office, 
regardless of alarm status.  Temperature monitors must be shipped in 
accordance with the provided instructions and shipping envelopes.
            (a) No Alarm Status.  Units have 72 hours (three business working 
days) from the time of receipt to document, administer, and report 
vaccination.  The 72 hour (three business working days) requirement begins 
immediately only if the temperature monitor is a no alarm upon receipt.
            (b) Alarmed Status.  Do not administer vaccine and suspend the 
vaccine in your refrigerator, as instructed.  Return the temperature monitor, 
along with the completed instruction sheet, to DLA-TSM for approval or 
disapproval to use the vaccine.  The 72 hour requirement does not begin until 
the vaccine has been determined to be suitable for use by DLA-TSM.
        (2) Reserve Component Commands.  All shipments will arrive with 
temperature monitors.  Monitors must be returned to the DLA-TSM cold chain 
office, regardless of alarm status.  Temperature monitors must be shipped in 
accordance with the provided instructions and shipping envelope.
            (a) No Alarm Status.  Units have one drill weekend from the time 
of receipt to document, administer, and report vaccination. The one drill 
weekend requirement begins immediately only if the temperature monitor is a 
no alarm upon receipt.
            (b) Alarmed Status.  Do not administer vaccine and suspend the 
vaccine in your refrigerator, as instructed.  Return the temperature monitor, 
along with the completed instruction sheet, to DLA-TSM for approval or 
disapproval to use the vaccine.  Reserve units will have one drill weekend 
from the time the vaccine is determined to be suitable for use by DLA-TSM.
    h.  Influenza Vaccine Exercise.  Previous influenza seasons have been 
used to exercise and evaluate mass vaccination scenarios.  These coordinated 
mass vaccination campaigns provide rapid and efficient vaccinations to 
protect the maximum number of susceptible persons. Based on lessons learned, 
process improvements are made to delivery and reporting procedures.
    i.  Influenza Vaccination Compliance.
        (1) Navy Military Personnel.  The seasonal influenza vaccination is 
mandatory for all Department of Defense (DoD) uniformed personnel who are not 
medically or administratively exempt per reference (a).  Any refusal to 
receive the influenza vaccine will constitute a failure to obey a lawful 
order and may be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) 
and/or result in administrative action.  Prior to receiving the influenza 
vaccine, Navy active/reserve component personnel shall have access to 
healthcare providers to discuss objections or concerns with influenza 
vaccination.  Commands should consult with the servicing Staff Judge Advocate 
General for additional guidance on influenza vaccination non-compliance.
        (2) Navy Civilian Personnel.  Mandatory influenza vaccination is a 
condition of employment for all civilian health care workers providing direct 
patient care in DoD Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF), per reference (b).  
Influenza vaccination is mandatory for all civilians where it is written in 
their position description as a condition of employment.  Other Navy civilian 
personnel are highly encouraged to receive influenza vaccinations.
        (3) TRICARE Beneficiaries.  Reference (c) authorizes retail network 
pharmacies to administer the seasonal influenza vaccine. TRICARE 
beneficiaries may receive influenza vaccination with no co-pay at a retail 
network pharmacy offering vaccines.  Beneficiaries are encouraged to contact 
the pharmacy regarding age restrictions as some pharmacies do not administer 
the flu vaccine to individuals less than 18 years of age.
    j.  Influenza Vaccination Reporting.  Active and reserve component Navy 
force vaccination administration compliance will be monitored via the Medical 
Readiness Reporting System (MRRS). Designated command personnel will access 
MRRS to track their personnel to ensure compliance.
        (1) Commands will request unit code identification based access to 
MRRS by submitting a system access authorization form available at:  
https://mrrs.sscno.nmci.navy.mil/mrrs/secure/welcome.m
(note:  MRRS web address is case sensitive).  Point Of Contact/MRRS program 
Office/email:  mrrspo@navy.mil/(800) 573-4617/(504) 697-7070/DSN: 647-
7070.
        (2) Commands must ensure that documentation of influenza vaccine 
administration is coded to accurately reflect the type of vaccine given 
whether injectable or nasal.
        (3) Afloat units will enter influenza immunizations into the 
Shipboard Automated Medical System (SAMS)/Theater Medical Information Program 
(TMIP) for subsequent transfer to MRRS.
        (4) All personnel who receive the vaccination from a retail network 
pharmacy must provide documentation of vaccination to the command not later 
than the next duty or drill day to ensure compliance is appropriately 
recorded in MRRS.
        (5) Units have 72 hours (three business working days) from the time 
of receipt to document, administer, and report vaccination. If the 72 hour 
requirement cannot be met, unit situation reports will be submitted to the 
respective Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) and type commanders.  
Situation reports are not required if the temperature monitor is in alarmed 
status and the unit is merely awaiting disposition from DLA-TSM.
    k.  Navy Goals and Performance Standards.
        (1) All Navy operational units and MTFS will administer the 2015-2016 
flu vaccination to meet 90 percent vaccination by 15 December 2015 for active 
and reserve component, and 100 percent vaccine access total for Navy family 
(includes dependents, other beneficiaries and department of the navy 
civilians).  Active coordination between command leadership, public affairs 
officers, and medical personnel is necessary to achieve success.
        (2) Influenza Vaccination Performance Standards.  The following 
metrics will be monitored:
            (a) Navy VIALS reports 100 percent of shipped vaccine received on 
board by fleet and Navy units by 1 December 2015.
            (b) MRRS reports 90 percent of active and reserve component 
vaccinated by 15 December 2015.  Commands will coordinate with the servicing 
MTF to align command-wide vaccinations with Navy vaccination goals.  Medical 
personnel at servicing MTFS will expeditiously report vaccinations in MRRS.

3. Released by Vice Admiral R. R. Braun, USN.//

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