The Danish government is the latest government to provide vaccination against Covid-19 for international seafarers visiting the country’s ports.
Some 3,000 seafarers are expected to be inoculated by the end of the year. This opportunity applies regardless of the seafarer’s nationality, Danish Shipping reported.
The vaccination scheme includes foreign nationals on short stays in Denmark receiving Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine for a fee; this means that when a ship docks in a Danish port, it will be possible to vaccinate the entire crew.
This new opportunity for seafarers to receive the vaccine has been praised by the Danish shipping industry.
“It is very positive that more seafarers can now be vaccinated. Vaccination against Covid-19 is often their ticket to being able to board and get off their ships when they travel around the world. At the same time, a number of seafarers from, for example, the Philippines and India, have not had the same access to vaccinations in their home countries, and in this area, we, as a maritime nation, have the opportunity to lend a hand,” said Jacob Meldgaard, CEO of Torm and chairman of Danish Shipping.
In practice, the vaccines will be supplied by private companies, and as the seafarers are only in port for a short period of time, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is ideal, as only one dose is needed.
Source: Seatrade Maritime News
