Singapore To Launch COVID-19 Vaccination Program For Foreign Sea Crew
Singapore will soon be launching its initiative, SEAVAX or Sea Crew Vaccination Initiative, for foreign non-resident sea crew. Yesterday, Chee Hong Tat, a Singaporean politician has made this announcement in his speech for the International Safety@Sea Week.
Those who are eligible per the initiative’s vision include sea crew in Singapore who stay on board over 30 days and seamen delivering essential services and enter the country once a month (at least).
Moderna and Pfizer-Biontech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be administered to those the program covers. The costs are to be shouldered by either the individual or the company.
Those in charge of contacting enterprises covered per the agreement include:
- The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
- Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and
- Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
Companies that fall under the category and have eligible workers but have not been contacted by 30 September can send their requests for vaccinations with supporting documents. For ship supply, yachts, and regional vessels, the MPA can be got in touch with at vaccinate@mpa.gov.sg. Fishing vessels can use SFA_FET@sfa.gov.sg to get in touch with the SFA.
In the speech, Chee noted that over 90% of the country’s maritime workers have been vaccinated fully. About 89% of the 7,500 seafarers employed in Singapore’s port waters have already taken their first doses and about 82% are fully vaccinated.
Reference: mpa.gov.sg
