Belgium will boost its seafarers vaccination campaign at its major ports from July 26, using mobile medical vaccination teams to ships at berth to provide the vaccinations directly on board.
The teams will operate from two maritime medical centers in Antwerp and Zeebrugge, while the vaccine provided will be the Johnson & Johnson.
The campaign is provided for every seafarer serving on board any type or category of seagoing ship calling in the ports of Antwerp, Ghent or Zeebrugge, and who have not received a dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in the last 12 months.
Moreover, seafarers wanting to take their vaccine should provide proof of the seafarer’s employment agreement as well as a seamen’s book or some proof of identification.
Any shipping company, captain or agent may apply for the vaccination of their seafarers, with applications being made made at least 48 hours before the expected arrival at berth of the vessel.
Belgium became the first country to start seafarer vaccination.
With a vaccine, we are not only offering Belgian seafarers the security to work in those unique circumstances but also the ability to travel safely and smoothly to foreign ports. Belgium is the first country in Europe to vaccinate seafarers. In this way, we can guarantee the continuous operation of shipping
said Minister Van Quickenborne.
