MARGAO
Vaccination for the Goan seafarers started on a moderate note on Monday, with many a worried seamen staying away from the exercise, primarily because of the 84-day gap between the first two doses and for reasons that many did not possess Indian CDCs.
However, with the Centre reducing the dose gap from 84 days to 28 days on production of call letter or visa, vaccination for the seafarers may gain pace in the coming days.
Seafarers did make their presence at the vaccination centres on Monday morning, but the turnout was far from satisfactory.
At some places such as Chinchinim, considered the village with seafaring majority, around half the number of people from priority groups that were vaccinated on Monday, turned out to be seafarers. At other places too, seafarers made their presence felt in the queue, but the number was not very encouraging.
A couple of seafarers, who had come for vaccination to the BPS Club were asked to produce the mandatory documents. Since they were unable to produce the Indian CDC as they were armed with the foreign CDCs, they later headed to Panaji to get a letter from the Captain of Ports making them eligible for the Covid vaccination.
President of Goan Seamen Association of India, Frank Viegas said many a seafarer stayed away from the vaccination over the question of 84 days gap between the first dose and the second. Another seaman Dixon Vaz informed that the response was not that encouraging because of the huge gap in the vaccine dose as well as due to the fact that certain companies are willing to hold vaccination at the Ports.
Meanwhile, Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) President Frank Viegas has requested the seafarers to approach the organization in case they come across hurdles in respect of documentation related issues.
Frank who also visited the vaccination centers for seafarers pointed out that certain categories of seafarers faced hurdles after they were denied vaccine due to lack of adequate supporting documentation. “These seafarers were directed by me to Capt James Braganza - Capt of Ports who through his letter of authorization assisted the said seafarers in getting vaccinated”, he added.
Dr Phillip Mascarenhas, Director of Divine Medical Centre Margao which conducts pre joining medical examination for seafarers, also appealed to the State government to reduce vaccination gap to prevent seafarers from losing their jobs.
GSAI vice-president, Gabriel Pinto, a Chief Engineer by profession serving in merchant navy, said it was disheartening to see the crisis faced by seafaring community due to jobs being already at risk as time frame for vaccination has been increased to 84 days.
