Protein companies JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation recently announced that they are preparing to offer COVID-19 vaccination to 8,500 workers this week at some of its facilities across several states, a recent joint release announced.
The vaccine is being administered with the help of local public health officials at JBS and Pilgrim’s plant sin Beardstown, IL, Booneville, MS, Cactus, TX, Grand Island, NE, Greeley, CO, Hyrum, UT, Lufkin, TX, Marshalltown, IA, and Moorefield, WV.
Each location will have its own process for carrying out the vaccinations and receive a different allotment of doses. A large-scale vaccination clinic will be set up at the Greeley plant and other sites will administer a set quantity of doses every day through local health departments.
“We have been doing everything we can to prioritize our essential workforce in state vaccination plans across the country,” Andre Nogueira, the chief executive officer of JBS USA, said in a statement. “Our role is to be flexible in helping our team members and local officials in the communities where we operate. Whether that includes shutting down a facility to execute a mass vaccination or providing paid time off, incentives and facilitating transportation for our workforce to get where they need to go to get their vaccine, we’re committed to ensuring they have every opportunity possible to be vaccinated.”
The companies are utilizing company occupational health staff, orchestrating the logistics, and linking with third party organizations to have the resources to provide the access to the vaccine. JBS is offering incentives to workers if they receive a vaccine. The beef and pork processor said in late January that a $100 incentive bonus will be provided to workers that participate in its vaccination program.
Tyson Foods recently said is preparing to provide free, onsite COVID-19 vaccinations this week to “thousands” of its employees at its food processing plants in Iowa. Powder & Bulk Solids recently examined how companies within the US meat industry are vaccinating their workers. Foster Farms and JBS started vaccinations at their facilities last month.
