Dear Member,
Further to CL 11299, foreign seafarers calling Canadian ports can now obtain Covid-19 vaccinations at key locations across Canada, including at drop-in clinics in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, and Saint John. Please note that Canada is currently offering two-dose vaccines only (Pfizer, Moderna), and does not expect to be in a position to offer the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine for the foreseeable future. In most cases, the ship’s agent will be the best placed entity to help coordinate vaccine arrangements in accordance with provincial requirements and restrictions, often working in conjunction with the local seafarers missions.
As noted in CL 11305, Transport Canada recently issued revised guidance allowing seafarers to go ashore for a maximum of six hours, which should help facilate their ability to obtain a vaccination during this period. In all cases, seafarers engaging in shore leave (including for vaccination purposes) are expected to follow the advice of their employer, the Public Health Agency of Canada and local health authorities.
You will find below the most recent information we have on how seafarers can access vaccinations at specific ports across Canada:
BRITISH COLUMBIA (New)
- Vaccines are available to foreign seafarers without reservation at walk-in clinics across the province (as per links below).
- Seafarers must first register with the provincial health authority by calling 1-604-630-4063 and obtaining a provincial health number. Please be prepared to provide seafarer’s name, gender, date of birth and location in B.C. (vessel name, port location, port postal code).
- If seafarers are leaving the vessel to attend a clinic outside the terminal, the agent must provide local CBSA with a Travelers Contact Information for each individual.
- List of walk-in clinics by region:
- Fraser Health Authority (Burnaby, Delta, Surrey)
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (North Vancouver, Vancouver)
- Vancouver Island Health Authority (Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Victoria)
- Northern Health Authority (Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Stewart)
- Please note that the walk-in clinic at Prince Rupert is currently open for vaccination on Fridays only. Vessels at anchor may contact the Prince Rupert Port Authority (1-250-627-2522) to arrange for seafaers to be transported ashore (as clinic is within walking distance from port).
MONTREAL (Updated)
- Vaccines are available to foreign seafarers without reservation at walk-in vaccination centres at the Palais des Congrès (1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC H2Z 2B3) or the Olympic Stadium (4545 Pierre-de-Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC, H1V 0B8).
- Mariners House of Montreal can provide transportation from the ship to the vaccination centre – contact Chaplain Michele DePooter at 514-839-8253 or chaplain@ministrytoseafarers.org.
- Seafarers need to bring need either their passport or copy of their passport and ship ID.
QUEBEC (New)
- Vaccines are available to foreign seafarers upon submission of a request to the Port of Quebec at least 72 hours before time of vaccination.
- The port will forward the request to the local health authority, which will decide whether to send a vaccination team on board or to send seafarers to a local vaccination centre.
- All requests must be submitted to Rene Castonguay (Assistant Harbour Master) via e-mail at rene.castonguay@portquebec.ca.
SAINT JOHN, NB (New)
- Vaccines are available to foreign seafarers without reservation at the local walk-in vaccination centre.
- Saint John Seafarers’ Mission can provide transportation from the ship – contact Chaplain Eric Phinney at (506) 643-0799 or ebphinn@gmail.com.
- Seafarers need to bring need either their passport or copy of their passport and ship ID.
NOVA SCOTIA (Updated)
- Vaccines are available to foreign seafarers without reservation at most community clinics, as per this LIST.
- As per provincial requirements, seafarers are required to take a rapid COVID-19 test the day of their vaccine appointment, prior to attending a community vaccine clinic or pharmacy.
- These tests will be provided to crew by the ship’s agent via the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the Halifax Mission to Seafarers – contact Helen Glenn at 902-422-7790 or hGlenn@missiontoseafarershalifax.ca.
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We will continue to update this information on a regular basis, particularly in a context where a number of walk-in clinics are expected to transition to different models or wind down operations within the next several weeks. We also continue to advocate for the deployment of local health personnel to vaccinate seafarers on board the vessel itself, which we view as the most efficient means of ensuring that as many foreign seafarers as possible have the option of being vaccinated while at Canadian ports.
Sincerely,
Karen Kancens
Vice President