SPRINGDALE, ARK. – Tyson Foods is continuing its vaccination efforts this week at its Iowa processing plants. The company, in conjunction with local health departments across Iowa, will offer free, onsite COVID-19 vaccinations to thousands of front-line workers.

“We’ve been working with Matrix Medical, Hy-Vee and health department officials across Iowa to prepare for this moment and we’re ready,” said Tom Brower, senior vice president of Health and Safety for Tyson Foods. “We’re pleased to offer our team members convenient access to the vaccine, and we appreciate the state of Iowa recognizing the essential role they play in feeding the world.”

Tyson’s plants in Columbus Junction, Council Bluffs, Independence, Perry, Sioux City, Storm Lake and Waterloo, Iowa, will hold vaccination events at or near the facilities. The company expects many of the 13,000 Iowa employees will receive the vaccination this week. Additional vaccination events will take place at Tyson’s Wilkesboro, NC, Albany, Ky., and Noel, Mo., plants this week, too.

So far, more than 2,000 of Tyson’s US employees have been recently vaccinated either at onsite events or through an external source.

In order to prepare and educate its workers about the vaccination, the company has provided resources and education in multiple languages to its employees. Workers also have access to a hotline to ask questions. The company is also compensating workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or if they are vaccinated at another location.

Since the spring of 2020, Tyson has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help protect its workers from COVID-19, according to the company. These efforts have included adding walk-through temperature scanners and workstation dividers and providing onsite testing at its facilities around the country. Tyson also expanded its health services staff, added a chief medical officer and is planning to pilot health clinics for team members and their families.