McLister, who is the the Lyttelton Seafarers’ Centre chaplain, provides pastoral care to sailors on boats docked in Lyttelton.
“It was no worse than a flu jab,” he said.
McLister was one of many port workers who received the Pfizer vaccine on Friday. More than 160 frontline workers at Lyttelton Port Company also received their first dose of the vaccine. These workers included cargo handlers, marine pilots, security and any LPC staff who board a vessel.
The vaccine is being rolled out for frontline workers throughout New Zealand.
McLister said, as a seafarers chaplain, he is one of the people having most contact with sailors.
“From my perspective, it is not just about protecting the on-shore community but I decided to take the vaccine to ensure that the seafarers also feel safe and comfortable about me coming on board,” he said.
Many sailors are also worried about McLister bringing Covid-19 onto their ships.
“I want to be able to assure the seafarers when I visit, that I’m taking all measures to keep them safe.”
McLister quickly took up the offer for the vaccine in order to protect the sailors he helps.
Alongside wearing personal protection equipment and following social distancing guidelines, getting the vaccine is another step of protecting the seafarers, McLister said.
After the Government announced sailors were only able to come onshore if they had been at sea for 14 days and returned a negative Covid-19 test last year, the seafarer’s centre began working to deliver its welfare services on board.
It provides personal shopping services, bring Wi-Fi units onboard, and provide emotional, social and spiritual care for sailors in the port.
Since March last year, it has bought more than $125,000 of personal shopping for sailors unable to disembark.
The Lyttelton Seafarers’ Centre was the first to employ this onboard pastoral care model, which has since been picked up by other ports around the country.
McLister said: “Seafarers are being demonised and they shouldn’t be.
“I personally feel safe and have more contacts with seafarers than with anyone else in New Zealand.”
McLister is tested for Covid-19 on a fortnightly basis and has had more than 12 tests so far – all have come back negative.
LPC general manager of people and safety, Kirstie Gardener said: “The vaccine provides another layer of protection for our border workers, who still use PPE, social distance, undertake increased hygiene measures and complete regular testing.”
McLister and the other port workers will receive a second dose of the vaccine in three weeks.
