Approximately 700 workers at the JBS USA Beardstown, IL pork plant received their first doses of Pfizer vaccine during the second week of February. The company arranged for a vaccination team in conjunction with the Cass County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Participants were provided with a $100 incentive bonus to be vaccinated with universal acceptance of the first dose to be followed by the second in early March.
Bob Krebs, President JBS USA-Pork noted, “We remain committed to providing a safe working environment for our team members and doing all we can to ensure our workforce across the country is given the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as possible.” Teresa Armstrong, Administrator of Cass County Health Department, stated “Our goal is to quickly and safely vaccinate as many JBS Beardstown employees as possible to prevent illness and the spread of COVID-19.” She added, “We are hopeful that other states will soon follow the lead of Illinois in providing vaccines for essential food workers.”
The Federal government arranged for a supply of COVID vaccines that are distributed to states. It is up to each of the 50 states and U.S. territories to develop both priorities and logistics for administration. This has resulted in obvious differences in both the rate of administration and selection of recipients. It is evident that workers in red meat packing plants, poultry processing and other food facilities, should be afforded priority based on close proximity in the work environment and susceptibility to a virus which is transmitted by inhalation. A high prevalence rate among workers at plants, especially if asymptomatic, represents a danger to the communities in which they are located.