open access

Vol 73, No 2 (2022)
Original article
Submitted: 2022-04-27
Accepted: 2022-06-22
Published online: 2022-06-29
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Implementation of an onboard COVID-19 vaccination programme: a university partnership to vaccinate seafarers

Tracey L. Taylor1, Denise Maguire1, Marcia Johansson1
·
Pubmed: 35781680
·
IMH 2022;73(2):59-63.
Affiliations
  1. University of South Florida, Tampa, United States

open access

Vol 73, No 2 (2022)
MARITIME MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2022-04-27
Accepted: 2022-06-22
Published online: 2022-06-29

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused many seafarers to be stranded on their ships due to lack of access to a vaccine and fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus limiting their ability to work on the ship. Once COVID-19 vaccinations were available, a lack of access to the vaccine continued to exist in the underserved seafarer population. This lack of access to the COVID-19 vaccine meant that seafarers were sometimes unable to leave their ships for months beyond their original contracts. Materials and methods: The University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing collaborated with the USF Morsani Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy in the development and implementation of an onboard COVID-19 vaccination programme at the request of the Port of Tampa Ministries. Results: In 6 months, 1237 seafarers from 30 countries and 5 continents received the COVID-19 vaccination as a result of this programme. Conclusions: Partnership between a commercial port and a College of Nursing at a local university enabled hundreds of seafarers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This programme serves as a model for industry and academic partnerships that can have a global impact on health and wellness.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused many seafarers to be stranded on their ships due to lack of access to a vaccine and fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus limiting their ability to work on the ship. Once COVID-19 vaccinations were available, a lack of access to the vaccine continued to exist in the underserved seafarer population. This lack of access to the COVID-19 vaccine meant that seafarers were sometimes unable to leave their ships for months beyond their original contracts. Materials and methods: The University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing collaborated with the USF Morsani Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy in the development and implementation of an onboard COVID-19 vaccination programme at the request of the Port of Tampa Ministries. Results: In 6 months, 1237 seafarers from 30 countries and 5 continents received the COVID-19 vaccination as a result of this programme. Conclusions: Partnership between a commercial port and a College of Nursing at a local university enabled hundreds of seafarers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This programme serves as a model for industry and academic partnerships that can have a global impact on health and wellness.

Get Citation

Keywords

seafarers, health and wellness, COVID-19 vaccinations, maritime industry, industry and academic collaboration, onboard vaccinations

About this article
Title

Implementation of an onboard COVID-19 vaccination programme: a university partnership to vaccinate seafarers

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 73, No 2 (2022)

Article type

Original article

Pages

59-63

Published online

2022-06-29

Page views

4556

Article views/downloads

341

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2022.0009

Pubmed

35781680

Bibliographic record

IMH 2022;73(2):59-63.

Keywords

seafarers
health and wellness
COVID-19 vaccinations
maritime industry
industry and academic collaboration
onboard vaccinations

Authors

Tracey L. Taylor
Denise Maguire
Marcia Johansson

References (6)
  1. Cucinotta D, Vanelli M. WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic. Acta Biomed. 2020; 91(1): 157–160.
  2. Sagaro GG, Amenta F. Past, present, and future perspectives of telemedical assistance at sea: a systematic review. Int Marit Health. 2020; 71(2): 97–104.
  3. Wong C. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of the stranded seafarers. Maritime Business Review. 2021.
  4. Vandergeest P, Marschke M, MacDonnell M. Seafarers in fishing: a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Mar Policy. 2021; 134: 104796.
  5. Doumbia-Henry C. Shipping and COVID-19: protecting seafarers as frontline workers. WMU J Maritime Affairs. 2020; 19(3): 279–293.
  6. International Maritime Health Association. (2021, September). Interim Position Paper Vaccination of seafarers against COVID-19. International Chamber of Shipping. https://www.ics-shipping.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMHA-interim-position-paper-Vaccination-of-seafarers-against-COVID-19.pdf (Retrieved March 1, 2022).

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