GREELEY, COLO. –JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride expect to vaccinate one-third of its US workforce by the end of the week. Approximately 14,000 of the companies’ US employees have received a COVID-19 vaccine, with an additional 7,000 people scheduled for vaccination in the coming week. By then, approximately one-third of the company's 60,000-plus workforce will have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This week, JBS USA and Pilgrim’s team members are scheduled to be vaccinated in Beardstown, Ill.; Broadway, Va.; Cactus, Texas; Guntersville, Ala.; Lufkin, Texas; Marshville, NC; Mayfield, Ky.; Moorefield, W. Va.; Natchitoches, La.; Omaha, Neb.; Plainwell, Mich.; Sanford, NC; and Worthington, Minn.

With vaccination clinics expected to conclude this week, JBS USA has been working closely with state officials, local health departments and union officials to encourage workers to take the vaccine.

“We are pleased to see so many of our essential team members having the opportunity to be vaccinated and choosing to do so,” said Andre Nogueira, chief executive officer, JBS USA. “While we are making good progress, there is much work left to be done. We thank state governors and other local officials for prioritizing our workforce and strongly urge our partners in other states to make sure essential food workers are given timely access to the vaccine. They have shown up to work every day to help keep the country fed during the pandemic and deserve to be vaccinated as soon as possible.”

To date, JBS USA and Pilgrim’s workers have been vaccinated in Beardstown, Ill.; Cactus, Texas; Council Bluffs, Iowa; De Queen, Ark.; Ellijay, Ga.; Grand Island, Neb.; Greeley, Colo.; Guntersville, Ala.; Hyrum, Utah; Lufkin, Texas; Marshalltown, Iowa; Marshville, NC; Moorefield, W. Va.; Mount Pleasant, Texas; Nacogdoches, Texas; Ottumwa, Iowa; and Pipestone, Minn.

JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride are assisting with vaccination efforts via company occupational health staff, coordinating logistics, and partnering with third-party health organizations to ensure medical professionals, nurses and resources are available to effectively administer vaccinations.

In January, the companies announced a $100 incentive for all employees who choose to be vaccinated, with the goal of encouraging maximum voluntary participation. The companies have also been promoting multi-lingual internal education campaigns to emphasize the safety, efficacy and importance of receiving the vaccine.

JBS USA and Pilgrim’s are assisting with vaccination efforts via company occupational health staff, coordinating logistics, and partnering with third-party health organizations to ensure medical professionals, nurses and resources are available to effectively administer vaccinations.

“In our large vaccination clinics, we’ve seen participation rates above 75 percent, which we believe shows our internal education efforts are working and our team members want to be vaccinated when given the opportunity,” Nogueira said.