Developing a COVID-19 Vaccination Program for Seafarers in Cork

Abstract

Introduction:The pandemic brought to the fore the importance of maritime transport as an essential sector for the continued delivery of critical supplies and global trade in times of crisis. Timely vaccination of seafarers secures their health and enables the chain of infection to be broken with the international propagation of the virus via maritime traffic. As part of the COVID-19 vaccination program, the Health Service Executive in conjunction with the Port of Cork company developed a unique pathway for seafarers to access COVID-19 vaccinations once they arrived in Cork.Method:An Excel template was developed by HSE and Port of Cork that would capture key information for seafarers to avail of vaccinations. Once data was captured by the ship's Captain, it was sent to the shipping agent and reviewed by the HSE South Emergency Management Office. Once the data was validated it was sent to the vaccination center so that the seafarer's details could be entered onto the system. Once confirmed, travel arrangements were made from the vessel to the vaccination clinic ensuring a safe staffing level remained on the vessel.Results:A total of 84 seafarers registered for the seafarer's vaccination program. 70 of these seafarers received one or more doses in Cork City Hall Vaccination Centre with the remainder having received one dose in pharmacies in Cork City.Conclusion:This joint initiative developed by the HSE Emergency Management Office and the Port of Cork, the first seafarer's COVID-19 vaccination program in Ireland, ensured seafarers were allowed to avail of a COVID-19 vaccination when they arrived at the Port of Cork. This highlights the requirement for future vaccination programs to consider and incorporate the requirements of seafarers acknowledging the essential role they play in the global supply chain.