Texas has opened for vaccination of visiting seafarers, making it possible for us to offer the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine to Odfjell crew calling Houston. This is a one-shot vaccine, and it will be given by professional health personnel on board the ship.
This is an opportunity to get ahead in the vaccination line, but it is fully voluntary. All details around the process will be sent to the relevant ships that are scheduled to visit US in the coming months. Each seafarer will receive detailed information to consider, and must sign a consent form before receiving the vaccine. Crew will be vaccinated in smaller groups, following recommendations.
Ship Management and Odfjell Tankers Houston are now working on finalizing the practicalities. Our ambition is to get started later this week. Note that this arrangement will come in addition to the vaccination scheme in the Philippines and Norway.The World Health Organization (WHO) describes vaccines as a ‘critical new tool in the battle against Covid-19’ and states that getting vaccinated is ‘one of the best things you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your colleagues from Covid-19’.
In line with WHO’s advice, Odfjell encourages our employees to take the vaccine once it is available, as this can make a positive impact at individual and community level.
In the photos you see the Synergy-managed crew on Bow Precision, who got their vaccination on board on May 11.
Afterwards, Captain Binoy K. Chacko commented:
“Starting off as an attempt to ensure safety of my crew, I was unaware of the overwhelming support that was to come our way. I thank and appreciate your professionalism, commitment and most importantly the selflessness with which you stood by us in our most significant hour of need”.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your Master, line manager or crewing contact.
