New Orleans -- Marine Administrative Message 501/16 provides guidance to Marine Corps active and Reserve components to implement the 2016-2017 mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination program. The Department of Defense goal is 90 percent of personnel vaccinated no later than Dec. 15, 2016.
Seasonal influenza is a highly contagious disease that has the potential to severely reduce mission readiness. A timely comprehensive vaccination program must be enforced by leadership throughout the Marine Corps to mitigate mission risk. Maximum and early influenza vaccination compliance reduces severity of the disease in Marines who become exposed to the virus and strengthens the ability of the force to limit spread of the disease.
Marine Corps active and Reserve component personnel shall receive the seasonal influenza vaccine annually unless medically exempt. Commands shall monitor influenza vaccination compliance closely in the Medical Readiness Reporting System and coordinate with supporting medical commands to ensure a 90 percent seasonal influenza vaccination compliance rate is achieved. MRRS will be used to enter vaccination status and monitor compliance. Delinquent personnel will be identified by the command and directed to receive the vaccine at the earliest opportunity.
The Centers for Disease Control vaccine information sheets will be reviewed by each Marine prior to vaccination. The injectable vaccine will be available for the 2016-17 influenza season. The live attenuated influenza vaccine, i.e. Flumist, will not be available.
The inactivated vaccine requires a 12-hour grounding period for all personnel in an active flying status.
In the event of an adverse reaction, members should report to medical and a vaccine adverse event report should be submitted. Instructions can be found at the vaers.hhs.gov website which is also referenced within the MRRS immunization reaction section.
Vaccinations will be documented in the member’s health record and recorded in MRRS within 24 hours of administration. Tricare Prime enrolled members, which includes all active duty service members, are allowed to use Tricare authorized pharmacies to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine as part of their pharmacy benefit. There should be no cost for active duty personnel or other Tricare Prime beneficiaries. Personnel using this option must provide their MRRS representative and medical facility documentation of the manufacturer, lot number, amount and location given, and date of administration of the vaccine within one business day for inclusion in MRRS and their medical record. Commands must ensure that documentation of influenza vaccine administration is coded to accurately reflect the injectable type of vaccine given.
For more information, see MARADMIN 501/16.