Tyson Foods Inc. is providing an additional incentive for frontline workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. The company, which already offers free, on-site COVID-19 vaccinations at its US plants, consistent with prioritization regulations and as vaccine supplies become available, announced it will also compensate workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or through an external source. 

Several hundred Tyson Foods team members, mostly health service staff and workers over the age of 65, have already been vaccinated. The company expects about 1,000 frontline workers in IL, MO, and VA will be vaccinated this week and is prepared to provide free access at other locations across the country as more doses of the vaccine are made available. 

Tyson Foods is partnering with Matrix Medical Network to educate the company’s 120,000 US team members about the vaccines and is working with local and state health officials as well as approved vaccine providers to access doses, pursuant to prioritization regulations. Vaccinations for Tyson Foods team members are voluntary, but highly encouraged.

“This incentive is an additional way we can encourage our frontline workers to receive the vaccination, which we believe is another important protective measure,” said Johanna Söderström, executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Tyson Foods. “We’re ready to vaccinate more of our people, especially through the free, on-site vaccination program we’ve developed, however, vaccine availability continues to vary by state.”