THE Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) initiated the setting up of a vaccination site for seafarers in Cebu, following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to include overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers in the priority groups for the vaccination.
Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino said that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Amosup Seamen's Hospital-Cebu, sought help to set up a vaccination site for seafarers.
He said OPAV has streamlined the vaccination for seafarers in partnership with the Mandaue City Government since the Amosup Seamen's Hospital in Cebu is located in Mandaue.
"After several meetings with the Department of Health (DOH), MARINA, Amosup, and Mandaue City Government, we have opened the vaccination center in Mandaue on Monday, August 2," he said.
DOH 7 has allocated 3,000 doses of Moderna vaccines for 1,500 seafarers who are required to register through their local manning agency (LMA) so that they could be included in those scheduled for vaccination.
The majority of the seafarers requested Western-brand vaccines after most of the international shipping companies preferred these brands.
Duterte had said in June 2021 that seafarers will be given vaccine preference as "their work requires" these brands before redeployment.
Dino encouraged all seafarers in Cebu to avail of the said vaccination program and coordinate with their LMAs.
After submitting the list to MARINA, the LMAs will then inform the seafarers of their schedule for vaccination. No walk-ins allowed to ensure observance of protocols and to ensure the availability of vaccines on said schedules.
AMOSUP Hospital can accommodate 200 seafarers per day. The vaccination schedule is done Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. (PR)