Smithfield Foods said it is actively preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to its employees and has medical capabilities at its U.S. plants.
The meat processing sector was one of the hardest hit by the virus. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated food and ag workers should receive the vaccine in a later phase, after healthcare workers and those over the age of 75.
The meat industry has also offered up their cold storage facilities to help with storage of the vaccines given the need for those to be stored in cold conditions.