The Panamanian Ministry of Health (MINSA) in conjunction with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) began the vaccination against COVID-19 to seafarers of any nationality.
The vaccination regards seafarers on board ships belonging to the Panama Ship Registry as well as those registered with other flags, which arrive at Panama’s ports.
For this vaccination process, 300,000 doses are available from the pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca, which will be applied in ports located in the Pacific and in the Atlantic.
In addition, Panama is in contact with the shipping agencies to receive the information of the ships that will dock and determine the number of seafarers interested in receiving their dose.
The Secretary General of the Panama Maritime Authority, Elvia Bustavino pointed out that:
Panama continues to support essential workers, our seafarers, who provide their services in the midst of this global pandemic so that supply chains remain active, recognizing their valuable contribution and that is why we reaffirm our commitment which began in 2020 now, with this great project
As of now, Panama has achieved over 18 thousand movements related to crew change of various nationalities, including Panamanians, from different types of vessels, which arrived in the country’s jurisdictional waters and ports, both by sea and by air.
