In this file:

· Smithfield Foods prepares for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to U.S. employees

… all of its employees will be eligible to receive the vaccine…

· Ricketts: Only documented workers will get vaccine

“If you’re working in the plants you’re supposed to be here legally,” Ricketts said during his news conference on Monday. “So to get the vaccination you gotta be working here legally to be a part of the food-processing program, so there’s not going to be a conflict here.”

Smithfield Foods prepares for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to U.S. employees

Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork processor, said on Wednesday it has medical capabilities at U.S. facilities and is actively preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to employees.

Tom Polansek, Reuters

via Nasdaq - Jan 6, 2021

CHICAGO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork processor, said on Wednesday it has medical capabilities at U.S. facilities and is actively preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to employees.

Meatpacking workers were among the groups hit hardest by the new coronavirus last year, as U.S. slaughterhouses became hot spots for outbreaks.

Smithfield said all of its employees will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek Editing by Chris Reese)

source url

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/smithfield-foods-prepares-for-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-to-u.s.-employees-2021-01-06

Ricketts: Only documented workers will get vaccine

By Tara Campbell, WOWT Omaha

Jan. 5, 2021

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Gov. Pete Ricketts made it clear that only documented workers will get the COVID vaccine inside these meatpacking plants.

“If you’re working in the plants you’re supposed to be here legally,” Ricketts said during his news conference on Monday. “So to get the vaccination you gotta be working here legally to be a part of the food-processing program, so there’s not going to be a conflict here.”

The governor’s office said meat-processing companies take measures to verify the legal status of their workers. But those on the ground say there are plenty of undocumented meat processing employees. According to recent data from the Migration Policy Institute, at least 14% of meat-packing plant employees are undocumented.

“I’ve been involved in the meat-packing plants for probably 30 years, and there is absolutely undocumented workers working in all the plants. The statement that there are not is patently false,” said Eric Reeder, president of UFCW Local 293.

The union warns the best way to make sure these plants keep up and running is to make sure everyone is vaccinated.

“This isn’t political,” Reeder said. “This is simply a virus that if you don’t put a stop to it or try to make these plants safer you’re not going to keep up with the demand we already have. So if you want to keep them working, you have to keep them as safe as possible.”

Experts weighed in, saying the more people who get the vaccine, the better...

more, including video report [1:53 min.] 

https://www.wowt.com/2021/01/06/gov-ricketts-only-documented-workers-will-get-vaccine/