Seafarer Vaccinations in Canada

Foreign seafarers calling Canadian ports can now obtain Covid-19 vaccinations at key locations across Canada, including Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Trois Rivieres, Quebec, Saint John, and Halifax.  Canada is mainly offering two-dose vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna), although the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has become available at some locations in British Columbia.

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.

Please scroll below for a list of how seafarers can access Covid-19 vaccinations at Canada's major ports.

ST. LAWRENCE REGION

Montreal:

• Vaccinations available to deomstic and foreign seafarers without reservation at the walk-in vaccination centre at 995 de Maisonneuve East, Montreal, QC H2L 1Z3.
• Contact Mariners' House of Montreal (514-839-8253) to complete paperwork in advance.
• Mariners House can provide transportation from the ship to one of the clinics. Seafarers need to bring need either their passport or copy of their passport and ship ID.
• Available vaccines are Pfizer BioNTech; Moderna, AstraZeneca (J&J is not available in Quebec)
• For more information contact Chaplain Michelle DePooter chaplain@ministrytoseafarers.org.

Quebec:

• Vaccinations 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 via e-mail to rene.castonguay@portquebec.ca.

Trois Rivieres:

• Vaccinations can be arranged through the local seafarer mission.
• If the vessel is not berthed at Trois Rivieres but at a nearby port, a transportation fee of $50 per seafarer will be charged.
• To make vaccination arrangements or to obtain additional information, please contact foyerdesmarins@gmail.com.
  
  

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Walk in clinics:

• Vaccinations 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)

Shipboard vaccinations:

• Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Fraser Health Authority offer shipboard visits for vaccinations on a weekly basis (usually Thursday), based on demand.   Arrangements can be made by contacting bmckinstry@shipfed.ca.

ATLANTIC CANADA

Saint John (NB):

• Seafarer vaccinations available through local pharmacies, based on submission of initial request 9 days in advance of the ship's arrival in Saint John.
• Saint John Port Authority will coordinate arrangements for vaccination, and the local seafarers' mission will provide transportation.
• Seafarers must take a rapid Covid-19 test on day of appointment, as per provincial regulations (test to be provided by the ship's agent).
• To make arrangements or to obtain additional information, please contact swills@sjport.com.

Halifax:

• Vaccinations 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 (hGlenn@missiontoseafarershalifax.ca).