NMLC Announces System to Manage 2010-2011 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Program

By S.A. Gorman, Naval Medical Logistics Command Public Affairs

April 9, 2010 - FT DETRICK, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) announced April 2 a Web-based database developed to aid in collecting and processing vaccine requirements, including managing the 2010-2011 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Program.

The Vaccine Information and Logistics System (VIALS) is a Common Access Card (CAC)- enabled system that can be accessed by Navy activities' both ashore and afloat and allows NMLC to process vaccine requests that will be centrally funded and managed, said Cmdr. Mary Seymour, NMLC executive officer.

"Building this system and getting it up and running opens doors to using this type of Web-based database for all commodities that NMLC manages," said Seymour. "It is a great use of our resources and another example of our commitment to provide our customers with quality medical logistics support requirements throughout the enterprise."

VIALS is a proactive response to Navy leadership who consider the seasonal influenza vaccine campaign to be a direct reflection of each activities' preparedness for any pandemic vaccine response. Launching VIALS directly supports Navy Medicine's mission to provide in-garrison health and preventive care for active duty personnel, their families and veterans.

Located on the NMLC Web site, VIALS can be accessed anywhere in the world via CAC-enabled Web access.VIALS provides an accurate accounting for vaccine and is a more efficient system to manage. It provides executive reporting capabilities and real-time data, which enables users to track the status of their request from requirements determination through receipt of vaccine.

"The value of sharing information across BSO-18 and our fleet customers reduces variability within the supply chain," said Lt. Daniel Kachenchai, Director for Medical Equipment and Logistics Solutions Directorate (MELS). "VIALS will allow NMLC to virtually manage the supply chain while offering real time reporting metrics to support our customer base."

MELS collaborated with on-site programmers to assist in developing a working database. Modeling the new database after the existing seasonal influenza vaccine program, MELS worked with the Operational Forces Support team to incorporate the needs of both ashore and afloat activities.

"Providing the same level of visibility of seasonal flu vaccine requisitions that the fleet customer is accustomed to for their equipment purchases being executed through the Operational Forces Support Directorate will ensure accurate reporting and forecasting of medical readiness for those Sailors at the tip of the spear," said Rich Schlegel, director for Operational Forces Support Directorate.

VIALS will assist the end user in ordering different dosages of vaccine by personnel and age categories. The personnel category presents the user with a drop down menu of seven types of personnel: deploying active duty, other active duty, Reserves, health care workers, beneficiaries, retirees and Department of the Navy civilian employees. Each category type is defined for clarification.

The age category presents the user with a standard ordering guide to determine overall vaccine dosage requirements based on age, indications and vaccine administration. This guide also contains information on estimated costs, delivery schedule and mercury content.

Within three months of collaboration, a working model was produced and went live on the NMLC Web site in February. Ashore and afloat activities can view VIALS via the NMLC Web site, http://www.nmlc.med.navy.mil, by selecting the MIL/GOVT log in and clicking on the Vaccine Information and Logistic System VIALS button, or by clicking on https:gov_only.nmlc.med.navy.mil.

NMLC is the center of logistics expertise for Navy Medicine; designing, executing and administering individualized state-of-the-art solutions to meet customer's medical material and healthcare needs. NMLC supports the Department of the Navy with acquisition and logistics systems training, healthcare services strategies, operational forces support, medical equipment and logistics solutions, acquisition management, deployable platforms and eyewear fabrication.