Mar 04, 2021

Plan will vaccinate Kansas meatpacking plant workers

Posted Mar 04, 2021 11:03 PM
Governor Laura Kelly held a zoom meeting on the plan Thursday.  "Kansas meatpacking workers risked their lives to feed our state, our nation, and our world. I was proud to announce that by the end of next week, we will complete first doses for every meatpacking worker in Kansas."
Governor Laura Kelly held a zoom meeting on the plan Thursday.  "Kansas meatpacking workers risked their lives to feed our state, our nation, and our world. I was proud to announce that by the end of next week, we will complete first doses for every meatpacking worker in Kansas."

TOPEKA â€“ Governor Laura Kelly today announced her administration’s plan to vaccinate meatpacking plant workers in Kansas. Under the plan, all meatpacking workers who want to be vaccinated will receive the first dose within the next two weeks.

“Throughout this pandemic, meatpacking plant workers have stepped up to successfully maintain the food supply chain,” Governor Kelly said. â€śWe owe them our gratitude for keeping food on the shelves and on the plates of families across our state, our nation, and the world.”

“Since the pandemic began, many of us have anxiously awaited this day…a day where our meat processing employees would have access to a vaccine that would protect them, their coworkers, and their families,” Secretary Mike Beam, Kansas Department of Agriculture, said.

Much like Governor Kelly’s “Back to School” plan to vaccinate Kansas teachers and school staff, counties with meatpacking plants will receive additional vaccine doses specifically earmarked for meatpacking workers, in addition to the doses counties already receive from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

KDHE is coordinating this approach with local health departments and directly with the meatpacking plants.