VAX FOR SEAFARERS. The Amosup Seamen's Hospital in Mandaue City is now inoculating seafarers with a particular vaccine dose to conform with the brand preference of international shipping companies. The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas assisted in the setting up of the seafarer's vaccination site, in response to President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to include OFWs and seafarers in the national vaccination rollout. (Photo courtesy of OPAV)
CEBU CITY – In response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to prioritize overseas Filipino workers and seafarers in the vaccination rollout, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) has initiated the establishment of the inoculation site for international maritime workers in Cebu.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, OPAV head, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, said the vaccination center started operation on Monday as a result of several meetings with the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 7, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Amosup Seamen's Hospital, and Mandaue City local government unit.
Dino said MARINA and Amosup sought his help in setting up the vaccination site in Mandaue.
"This is in response to the call of President Duterte of his malasakit (concern) to our OFWs and seafarers. We have streamlined the vaccination for our seafarers in partnership with the Mandaue City government," he said.
The DOH-7 allocated 3,000 doses of Moderna vaccines for 1,500 seafarers who are required to register through their local manning agency (LMA) to be included in the inoculation schedule.
According to the statement, majority of the seafarers requested Western-brand vaccines to conform to the brand preference of international shipping companies.
In June, Duterte said seafarers would be given vaccines of preference as "their work requires" these brands before redeployment.
Dino encouraged all seafarers especially those who are in Cebu to avail of the vaccination program and coordinate with their LMAs for master-listing.
The LMAs, which will submit the list to MARINA, will then inform the seafarers of their schedule for vaccination.
No walk-ins are allowed to ensure observance of protocols and also to ensure the availability of vaccines on the schedules.
Currently, AMOSUP Hospital can inoculate 200 seafarers per day. The vaccination is done every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Dino thanked Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go for the allocation of vaccines for the seafarers. (PNA)
