Ports Authority concludes vaccination campaign at its facilities
By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Ports Authority Executive Director Joel A. Pizá Batiz announced on Sunday the successful closure of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 that was conducted for four consecutive days at several of its facilities.
A total of 278 people participated who strengthened their defenses against the coronavirus with the corresponding dose of Pfizer or Moderna, the Ports chief noted.
Pizá Batiz said the port Vacutour, carried out with VOCES Puerto Rico, began at the Pan-American Pier I on Isla Grande, where 86 employees, concessionaires and family members of the San Juan port facilities had access to the vaccine.
Employees from the southern area were summoned to Mercedita de Ponce Airport, where 77 people who required boosters showed up. Likewise, Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla received 84 participants who were also administered a third dose. The conclusion of the vaccination tour, at José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, added 31 participants, among whom were employees of the Vieques, Culebra and Humacao airports.
“Although 98 percent of our employees already had the first two doses, we are extremely pleased with the result of this tour, which showed that the dose most administered was specifically the booster,” Pizá Batiz said. “In addition, this mission made it possible [for Ports] to contribute to the continued reduction of hospitalizations and deaths due to this pandemic, taking as a starting point the self-defense of the airport community.”
The Ports chief also highlighted the willingness of the authority’s employees to provide a safe environment for the event, as well as the commitment shown to streamlining procedures to reduce waiting time.
“These palpable qualities in our colleagues are also a sign of their interest in the well being of the industry and of all Puerto Ricans,” Pizá Batiz said.