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Illinois pork production facility receives first round of COVID vaccines
Nearly 700 employees at the JBS pork production facility in Beardstown, Ill. have received their first COVID-19 vaccine. This was the largest vaccination effort to date at a red meat facility and one of the largest efforts to protect the food production system.
The vaccinations were done in partnership with the Cass County Health Department. Bob Krebs, president of JBS USA pork says they remain committed to providing a safe working environment for their employees and doing all they can to ensure their workforce across the country is given the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as possible. The full allotment of vaccines provided by the local health department was used.
JBS says vaccinations are voluntary and employees who chose to be vaccinated received a $100 incentive bonus. Vaccines were administered on-site by trained third-party nurses and the second round of vaccines will be provided in March.
Krebs says they are hopeful other states will soon follow Illinois’ lead in providing access to vaccines for essential food workers.
