Vaccinations Start for Dockworkers at Nation’s Busiest Port Complex

LOS ANGELES, Feb 12 (Reuters) – About 800 longshoremen from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Friday got the first COVID-19 vaccinations for dockworkers at the United States’ busiest seaport complex, which has been hard hit by pandemic-related workforce disruptions and surging imports.

The shots were a welcome relief for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) members who snapped up the appointments in about 20 minutes.

The inoculations offer “peace of mind” to longshoremen Patty Castillo, 46, and Adrian Esqueda, 48, who said co-workers and family members have contracted COVID-19 – and some have died of it.

“We have a fortress against the disease,” said Esqueda, as he sat in a truck with Castillo, his wife, during the observation period required after receiving the vaccination.