Q1 : Are seafarers prioritized in the Philippines for Covid Vaccinations?

A1 : Yes they have been upgraded from priority-group B5 to A4 for essential workers. This puts them in front of the line after A1-Health care workers, A2-senior citizens, A3-people with co-morbitities.

Q2 : From when will priority vaccination of seafarers start?

A2 : At the moment (May-2) most cities in the Metro Manila area are finalizing the first vaccination of priority group A2 & A3. It is expected that in those cities will make a start with vaccinating group-A4 (essential workers incl seafarers) in May. The city of Manila has already started vaccinating group-A4.

However progress very much depends on the locality where the seafarer is living. In the province the progress will be slower as the urban areas with the highest prevalence of the virus are prioritized over areas in the province with lower number of cases. 

Q3 : From when can we expect the first seafarers to be vaccinated?

A3 : Realistically if the process starts gradually in May and given the fact that all vaccines available in the Philippines require at least two shots the earliest would be sometime in May. However as group A4 is a large group and the demand is high, supply will probably determine how many and how fast seafarers can be inoculated. The bulk of vaccines ordered is not expected to arrive in the country until July this year.

Q4 : Does Avior have access to vaccines?

Q4 : Avior has ordered 1500 doses AZ and 500 doses Novovax as a back up in case Government action remains lacking. Avior did so in a tri-partite agreement with the government as it is not possible to buy direct from manufacturers and import vaccines outside government channels. Those vaccines are expected to arrive some time in the third quarter. The government will then have to make those doses available through Department of Health (DOH) accredited vaccination sites. Until those doses arrive the industry will be dependent on the supply secured by the government.

Q5 : What vaccines will be used?

Q5 : At the moment (May-2) it is not possible to choose a vaccine. What vaccine will be used in this phase mainly depends on what is available. At present and until Q3 this will be mainly Sinovac and AZ. No choice is offered or allowed in government vaccination centers at the moment.

Q6 : What proof will seafarers get of vaccination?

Q6 : The government has commissioned the department of IT & Communications to come up with a digital solution but this is still a work in progress. It is not clear yet how this will be organized. At the moment one registers on line and will be issued a hard copy vaccination card. It is assumed that in the absence of a digital solution, the vaccination will be mentioned on the International Certificate of Inoculations.  

Q7 : What vaccines have been ordered and when are they expected to arrive?

A7 :  The government is still in the process of procuring and approving vaccines and real momentum on arrivals is not expected until Q3. (see infograph at bottom. Please take indicated arrival months as estimate as present supplied very depending on available flights)

Q8 : How can a seafarer qualify for vaccination?

A8 : As the A4 group is a large priority group it is expected that the authorities will prioritize within this group. It was communicated that seafarers scheduled to leave within 2 months (having a signed contract to prove it) will have the highest priority. It is not clear yet where they can obtain this vaccination but it is expected that with the proof they can report either in their own LGU (where they live) or be referred by Avior to a DOH vaccination site in Manila.

Q9 : Who will pay for Covid-vaccinations?

A9 : As it is now the Covid Vaccinations obtained through the government will be free of charge but are always pending availability. In future when government supply falls short we hope Covid vaccines can be obtained through PEME clinics or from the stock ordered by Avior Marine Inc. Vaccines provided in this way will have to be charged to the Principal. Please note that all vaccines ordered under tri-partite agreements with the government will have to be given to seafarers free of charge. This is a condition in the agreement.

No need to say that if Government vaccines are available Avior will refer seafarers to obtain those free vaccines and only if preference of Principal is not available Avior will use our own channels once available.