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<p>Merchant ship crews coming into British ports have not been prioritised for vaccination
based on their occupation. However, everyone aged 18 and over in the United Kingdom
can now receive their vaccination; this includes all seafarers calling in UK ports.</p><p>The
Government encourages all eligible seafarers and cruise ship employees to receive
a COVID-19 vaccine in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation (JCVI). The Department is working closely with the Department for Transport,
the Devolved Administrations and NHS England and Improvement to ensure that operational
challenges in vaccinating these groups are mitigated so all those who are eligible
can access the vaccine in an efficient and convenient way.</p><p>For phase one of
the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the JCVI considered evidence on the risk of exposure
and risk of mortality from COVID-19, and subsequently provided advice that only health
and social care workers should be prioritised for vaccination. The objective of this
prioritisation was to protect workers at high risk of exposure, who, should they become
infected, may also expose vulnerable individuals to COVID-19 whilst providing care.
The Government accepted the JCVI advice.</p>
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