The Port of Long Beach and neighboring Port of Los Angeles are on track to vaccinate over 900 seafarers against Covid-19.
The initiative has seen the California ports team up with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and the National Guard.
So far, 452 crewmembers on 27 ships visiting San Pedro Bay have voluntarily received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, while 477 more sailors aboard 29 ships are booked for vaccinations, according to officials.
“The new initiative ensures the health of workers who deliver essential goods during the ongoing pandemic, utilizing a mobile Covid-19 vaccination unit for those onboard vessels calling on San Pedro Bay. The program administers the vaccine to visiting crews at no charge,” the Port of Long Beach said.
“The Health Department’s mobile program typically goes to the ships docked at terminals in both Long Beach and Los Angeles.”
However, the crew of more than two dozen seafarers from the 70,034-dwt Algoma Victory (built 2000) recently traveled to the International Seafarers Center in the Port of Long Beach to receive the vaccines.
“It’s great to see our city helping these sailors who serve on the ships that carry the world’s cargo across the oceans and keep this industry moving,” said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero. “
“We thank the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services for its foresight and efficiency in bringing the vaccinations to the ship crews.”
Long Beach Harbor commission president Frank Colonna said supply chain workers have been on the frontline of this pandemic since the beginning.
“We need to vaccinate as many people as possible, and we’re pleased to see that vital work happening in our harbor,” he said.
“I’m so proud that Long Beach is doing so much to stop this pandemic by reaching out to mariners coming to both our Port and the Port of Los Angeles.”
TradeWinds recently reported that ship managers and owners are routinely lining up crew for jabs during US port calls as 25 states offer to vaccinate crew against Covid-19.
Jason Zuidema, who has been involved in developing seafarer access to vaccines in his role as executive director of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), said things have "developed organically", and that there has been no central government action.
The US development promises to speed up attempts to vaccinate seafarers and ease the crew crisis, which has prevented more than 200,000 seafarers returning home because of travel restrictions.
