Tyson Foods Focuses on Vaccine Education and Access

Tyson Foods, Inc. has announced a partnership with Matrix Medical Network, a top clinical services company, to ensure its U.S. employees are informed about and have access to COVID-19 vaccines. Matrix will work with Tyson Foods' health services team to set up mobile health clinics and provide expert clinical staff to assist with vaccine communications, administration, and counseling at Tyson Foods facilities. The initiative will begin in early 2021 and continue throughout the year. Tyson Foods will also provide its team members with third-party education information about the vaccines and vaccination process in multiple languages. The availability of the vaccine will differ by state, but the company is committed to a long-term strategy that ensures any team member who wants a vaccine will receive one. Vaccines will be administered as soon as possible following guidance from health officials and in sufficient quantities to ensure effective scheduling and delivery. Tyson will strongly encourage employees to take the vaccination. This announcement is the latest in a series of steps the company has taken to combat new waves of the coronavirus, including the strategic testing of workers without symptoms. The company has invested over $540 million to transform its U.S. facilities with protective measures, such as walk-through temperature scanners and workstation dividers, and to provide additional team member pay and benefits. Tyson Foods is also working with outside health experts, expanding its health services staff, and plans to pilot health clinics for team members and their families early this year. Tyson Foods is using testing as a tool and estimates more than half of its workforce has been tested for COVID-19. The company is currently testing thousands of workers per week as part of its industry-leading monitoring strategy. In addition to testing those with symptoms or who have been in close contact with someone who has the virus, the company is also proactively testing workers who have no symptoms. Tyson has hired a chief medical officer and an additional 200 nurses and administrative staff this year, which means the company now has an occupational health staff of almost 600. These medical professionals screen for symptoms, conduct testing and track cases to help care for team members if they become ill. Tyson Foods’ medical professionals work with health and government officials and team members as part of the company’s efforts to help communities where we operate better understand the coronavirus and the protective measures that can be taken to help prevent spread. Long-term, these professionals will provide support for the company’s overall team member health and wellness efforts.