International ship crews arriving at the Port of Long Beach and neighboring Port of Los Angeles have received COVID-19 vaccinations to reduce the spread of the infection among seafarer communities.
More than 450 crewmembers from 27 ships have received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the Port of Long Beach said in a statement.
Nearly 480 more sailors on 29 ships are booked for vaccinations. The vaccinations are administered without charge to international crews aboard ships visiting San Pedro Bay.
The mobile program is a part of a joint effort between the Port of Long Beach, the Long Beach Department of Health, Human Services and the National Guard.
“It’s great to see our city helping these sailors who serve on the ships that carry the world’s cargo across the oceans and keep this industry moving,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.
“These men and women are an important part of the supply chain, and they travel all over the world.”
“Supply chain workers have been on the frontline of this pandemic since the beginning… We need to vaccinate as many people as possible, and we’re pleased to see that vital work happening in our harbor,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna also commented.World Maritime News
