2024-2025 INFLUENZA VACCINE GUIDANCE FOR ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENTS

MARADMINS : 440/24

R 252045Z SEP 24
MARADMIN 440/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2024-2025 INFLUENZA VACCINE GUIDANCE FOR ACTIVE AND RESERVE
COMPONENTS//
REF/A/DOC/USD P&R WASHINGTON DC/23JUL19//
REF/B/DOC/BUMED WASHINGTON DC/07OCT13//
REF/C/DOC/DHA WASHINGTON DC/21AUG20//
REF/D/DOC/CNO WASHINGTON DC/22NOV16//
REF/E/DOC/32 CFR PART 199.21/01DEC16//
REF/F/DOC/CDC/MMWR RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS NO. 5/29AUG2024//
NARR/REF A IS DODINST 6205.02, DOD IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM. REF B
IS BUMEDINST 6230.15B, IMMUNIZATIONS AND CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS FOR THE
PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. REF C IS DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY
(DHA) PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION 6025.34, GUIDANCE FOR THE DOD
INFLUENZA VACCINATION PROGRAM. REF D IS OPNAVINST 3710.7V, NAVAL
AIR TRAINING AND OPERATING PROCEDURES STANDARDIZATION GENERAL
FLIGHT AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. REF E IS THE CIVILIAN HEALTH
AND MEDICAL PROGRAM OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES (CHAMPUS)/TRICARE:
TRICARE PHARMACY BENEFITS PROGRAM. REF F IS THE CENTERS FOR
DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2024-2025
INFLUENZA SEASON.//
POC/DRISCOLL, SEAN/CDR/HQMC/HS/DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH/TEL:
703-604-4602/ EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/BALISI, FRANCISPAUL/HM1/HQMC/HS/MRRS COORDINATOR/TEL:
703-604-4602/ EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Provide guidance to Marine Corps
active and reserve components to implement the 2024-2025 Northern
and Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccination Program.
2. Background. Seasonal Influenza is a highly contagious disease
that has the potential to significantly impact force health and
mission readiness. A timely comprehensive vaccination program must
be enforced by Marine Corps leadership in order to mitigate risk to
force and risk to mission. Maximum vaccination of the force reduces
transmission of disease and reduces severity of disease in
personnel who become infected.
3. Execution
3.a. Per references (a), (b), and (c), all Marine Corps active and
reserve component personnel shall receive the 2024-2025 Seasonal
Influenza vaccine(s) unless medically or administratively exempt.
The Marine Corps active component shall ensure 100 percent of
personnel are compliant with Department of Defense (DoD) policy
(vaccinated or approved medical or administrative exemption) no
later than 15 December 2024. The Marine Corps reserve component
shall vaccinate at least 90 percent of required personnel no later
than the DoD goal of 15 January 2025.
3.b. Per enclosure (3) of reference (c), Marine Corps personnel shall
receive the seasonal Northern Hemisphere (NH) Influenza vaccine if
they will be assigned, permanently or temporarily, more than 14 days
in the NH Influenza zone between 1 October 2024 and 30 March 2025.
Marine Corps personnel shall receive the seasonal Southern
Hemisphere (SH) Influenza vaccine if they will be assigned more than
14 days in the SH Influenza zone between 1 April 2025 and 30
September 2025 (see reference (c), appendix (5), for a list of
applicable countries). If personnel require vaccination with both
hemisphere vaccines, administration should be separated by a minimum
of 30 days.
3.c. Operational forces and training commands are prioritized for
receipt of Influenza vaccine by the Department of the Navy.
Marine Corps component commanders and surgeons shall coordinate
with supporting Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) to ensure
operational forces and training commands receive priority
administration from Influenza vaccine shipments. Commanders should
prioritize vaccination of deploying forces, recruits and instructors
at recruit depots, and healthcare providers assigned to Marine Corps
units.
3.d. Commanders should advise Marine Corps civilian employees that
the Influenza vaccine is also available to them at retail
pharmacies, without cost or copay, as a benefit of the Federal
Employee Health Benefits program. See paragraph 6.a for additional
information.
3.e. Marine Corps active and reserve component commands shall
monitor Influenza vaccination compliance via the Medical Readiness
Reporting System (MRRS), and coordinate with supporting MTFs to
ensure seasonal Influenza vaccination compliance no later than the
deadlines in paragraph 3.a.
3.f. Marine Corps components will document administration of
Influenza vaccine for all personnel in the Electronic Health
Record (Military Health System GENESIS) preferentially, but may
document vaccination directly in MRRS if the units do not have
ready access to the Electronic Health Record. Vaccination shall
be documented within one (1) business day of administration to
ensure timely and accurate daily monitoring of Force compliance
with this MARADMIN.
3.g. Personnel who receive Influenza vaccination from non-military
facilities (e.g., civilian pharmacies) shall provide verification
and details to their supporting MTF or command MRRS representative
no later than 1600 on the next regular duty day (see paragraph 6.a).
3.h. If a command does not have authorized personnel with access
to MRRS, contact the local MRRS security officer or the
Headquarters Marine Corps Health Services MRRS POC listed in this
message for further assistance.
3.i. Medical exemptions will be entered in MRRS only when an
individual has a valid exemption for the Influenza vaccine, as
determined by a licensed healthcare provider. See references (b)
and (c) for details regarding exemptions and required evaluation of
those reporting a history of allergic reaction to the Influenza
vaccine.
3.j. Administrative exemptions are a non-medical command
determination, and will be entered in MRRS in accordance with
reference (b). Units are advised to refrain from temporary
exemptions due to TAD status in order to avoid erroneous exemptions
and ensure compliance with reference (a).
4. Vaccine Handling and Administration
4.a. Commanders shall ensure that all medical personnel assigned
to Marine Corps units who handle and/or administer Influenza vaccine
receive appropriate annual training and that competencies are
documented. Commanders shall also establish procedures for proper
handling and storage of Influenza immunization stock in accordance
with reference (c) and regional policy and practices of the
supporting MTF.
4.b. Only appropriately trained and qualified personnel, working
under signed orders of an appropriately privileged healthcare
provider will administer the Influenza vaccine.
4.c. All personnel handling and/or administering Influenza vaccine
shall receive training in cold-chain management and have a signed
competency form verifying competency in all aspects of the Influenza
vaccine products being utilized. Training can be accessed via
Joint Knowledge Online (DHA-US070), and additional comprehensive
resources are available at www.health.mil/vaccines.
4.d. Influenza vaccines shall be stored and transported, at all
times, with appropriate temperature monitoring.
4.e. Any time that a temperature compromise is known or suspected,
immediately place that vaccine in a proper storage container at the
proper temperature, and clearly label "DO NOT USE". Do not discard
the vaccine unless directed by Defense Logistics Agency-Troop
Support Medical (DLA-TSM). Notify the supporting MTF, Naval Medical
Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC) vaccine service representative
at [email protected], and the
appropriate DHA Immunization Healthcare Specialist. Complete a DHA
Form 177, Potentially Compromised Temperature Sensitive Medical
Provider Worksheet. DLA-TSM will advise on disposition of the
vaccine.
4.f. Commands with excess Influenza vaccine that will not be used
prior to expiration shall notify their supporting MTF, NMRLC vaccine
service representative, and DHA Immunization Healthcare Specialist,
who may direct redistribution.
4.g. Prior to vaccination, all personnel being vaccinated shall be
screened by medical personnel using DHA Form 116, and shall be
provided the current Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for the
product being administered.
4.h. Aircrew will require a period of grounding specific to the
product being administered, per reference (d).
5. Adverse Reactions. Local swelling, injection site soreness,
and headache are common Influenza vaccine side effects that resolve
quickly. These symptoms, along with fever, fatigue, and muscle
aches may occur within 6-12 hours of vaccination, and may persist
for 1-2 days. More severe allergic reactions, while rare, shall be
evaluated by medical personnel and reported through the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at:
https:(slash)(slash)vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html.
6. Additional Information
6.a. Per reference (e), TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, including all
active duty service members, may utilize TRICARE-authorized
pharmacies to receive the seasonal Influenza vaccine at no cost.
Participating pharmacies may be found at:
https:(slash)(slash)militaryrx.express-scripts.com(slash)
find-pharmacy. Personnel utilizing this option shall provide their
supporting MTF and/or MRRS representative documentation of the
manufacturer, lot number, amount and location given (right arm, left
arm), and date of administration. Command medical personnel and/or
MRRS representatives must ensure that documentation of Influenza
vaccine administration is coded to accurately reflect the type of
vaccine given.
6.b. The DHA's Influenza vaccine resource center can be found
at www.health.mil/vaccines, and contains guidance documents and
templates to include standing orders, vaccine product guides and
VISs, and cold chain management tools.
6.c. The Defense Health Agency-Immunization Healthcare Division
(DHA-IHD) Immunization Healthcare Support Center can be reached
at: 1-877-GET-VACC (1-877-438-8222); or via email
at: [email protected]. The Support Center can provide clinical
consultation, to include assistance with questions regarding
vaccine screening and potential vaccine-related adverse events.
7. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
8. This MARADMIN is cancelled 1 August 2025.
9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Paul J. Rock, Jr.,
Director, Marine Corps Staff.//