COVID-19 vaccines are still available for foreign seafarers in Canada

Foreign seafarers calling Canadian ports can obtain Covid-19 vaccinations at key locations across Canada, including Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Trois Rivieres, Quebec, Saint John, and Halifax.

Canada is mainly offering two-dose vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna), although the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has become available at some locations in British Columbia.

#1 Montreal

• Vaccinations are available to foreign seafarers at two local health centres. Arrangements for vaccinations and transportation need to be made in advance via the local seafarers’ mission.
• Seafarers must bring their passport and ship ID to their appointment.

#2 Quebec

• Vaccinations are available to foreign seafarers upon submission of a request to the Port of Quebec at least 72 hours before time of vaccination.
• The port will forward the request to the local health authority, which will decide whether to send a vaccination team on board or to send seafarers to a local vaccination centre.
• All requests must be submitted via e-mail.

#3 Trois Rivieres

• Vaccinations can be arranged through the local seafarer mission.
• If the vessel is not berthed at Trois Rivieres but at a nearby port, a transportation fee of $50 per seafarer will be charged.

#4 British Columbia

• Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Fraser Health Authority offer shipboard visits for vaccinations on a weekly basis (usually Thursday), based on demand.

#5 Walk in clinics at British Columbia

• Vaccinations are available to foreign seafarers without reservation at walk-in clinics across the province.
• Seafarers must first register with the provincial health authority by calling 1-604-630-4063 and obtaining a provincial health number.  Please be prepared to provide seafarer’s name, gender, date of birth and location in B.C. (vessel name, port location, port postal code).
• If seafarers are leaving the vessel to attend a clinic outside the terminal, the agent must provide local CBSA with a Travelers Contact Information for each individual.
• List of walk-in clinics by region: Fraser Health Authority (Burnaby, Delta, Surrey); Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (North Vancouver, Vancouver); Vancouver Island Health Authority (Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Victoria); Northern Health Authority (Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Stewart).

#6 Saint John (NB)

• Seafarer vaccinations available through local pharmacies, based on submission of initial request 9 days in advance of the ship’s arrival in Saint John.
• Saint John Port Authority will coordinate arrangements for vaccination, and the local seafarers’ mission will provide transportation.
• Seafarers must take a rapid Covid-19 test on day of appointment, as per provincial regulations (test to be provided by the ship’s agent).

#7 Halifax

• Vaccinations are available to foreign seafarers without reservation at most community clinics, as per this LIST.
• As per provincial requirements, seafarers are required to take a rapid COVID-19 test the day of their vaccine appointment, prior to attending a community vaccine clinic or pharmacy.
• These tests will be provided to crew by the ship’s agent via the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the Halifax Mission to Seafarers.