NE ag director prepares for vaccine rollout to packers

News

NE ag director prepares for vaccine rollout to packers

The COVID-19 vaccination plan is entering phase 1B meaning the vaccine is getting ready to go out to meat plant workers.

Nebraska Director of Ag Steve Wellman said he’s working with the state’s Department of Health and Human Services CEO to get a better picture of the vaccine’s rollout.

“We actually have a phone call scheduled for next week so I can get a better understanding of the vaccination program [and] how it affects agriculture in Nebraska,” he said. “And then we’re going to communicate that to the ag sector, the employers in Nebraska.”

Phase 1B of the vaccine’s rollout is planned to run until mid-March. He tells Brownfield although the vaccine is coming, precautions must continue.

“Vaccinations, I think, are very important but I think we also have to still rely on the protective measures that were put in place during 2020 to protect those workers.”

Nebraska is the second largest processing state of red meat in the country.

.