Comment on DOD-2009-HA-0151-DRAFT-0004

I strongly support the expansion of the ability of retail network pharmacies to provide vaccines to TRICARE-covered beneficialries. Retail pharmacies currently administer numerous vaccines in addition to flu and pneumococcal. Subject to state law, retail pharmacies administer vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, Herpes Zoster (shingles), Human Papillomavirus, Meningitis, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Tetanus, and Varicella (chickenpox). I encourage the Department to expand the ability of retail network pharmacies to cover these vaccines and others recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). I also encourage considering expansion to any vaccines recommended for travel. In addition, retail pharmacies are one of the most automated, efficient components of the healthcare system. By processing immunization claims through the pharmacy benefit, DoD takes advantage of a fully electronic, streamlined administrative process for real-time claims adjudication.