Port of Civitavecchia started to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine distribution to cruise ship crew members which will be able to get vaccinated directly on board. Around 10.000 crew are expected to be vaccinated in the following weeks, thanks to the Lazio Region, the Port System Authority of the Central Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Asl Roma 4 and Usmaf.

It is estimated that about 500 crew will be vaccinated each day by Maritime Health personnel and the shipping companies themselves. The first crew to be vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine was the Norwegian Epic crew, which will be followed in the next few days by the crew of Oceania Cruises.

“It is the first time in the Mediterranean that vaccinations are done directly on board. The SSR once again proves to be at the forefront and just as a year ago we were the first in Europe to swab directly at the airport in Fiumicino, today we are the first to vaccinate directly on ships. All this to secure maritime operators and restart the economy and tourism ”, said the councilor for health of the Lazio region, Alessio D'Amato.

“Safety is our main goal and I am grateful and proud by the collaboration that led us to organize this important operation. This model is agreed in partnership, for the common good of all, regardless of nationality and origin. I thank the operators of ASL Roma 4 who also on this occasion showed themselves extraordinarily resilient and flexible”, said Cristina Matranga General Manager of ASL Roma 4.