Food and farm workers now eligible for vaccine

As estimated 79,000 people became eligible to receive a vaccination against COVID-19 on Monday.

In mid-February, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that, beginning March 1, workers in food processing facilities and farms would be added to Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination priority list.

Such workers have been especially hard-hit by the pandemic, with outbreaks leading to widespread infections among agricultural workers throughout 2020.

“We know that food and agricultural workers are on the front lines. They’re keeping us fed. And they’ve disproportionately been impacted by the coronavirus. So we’re really glad to see this change,” said Diana Marin at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center in an interview with Michigan Radio.

Migrant workers make up a large portion of Michigan’s agricultural workforce. That’s led to worries that some will avoid vaccination due to their legal status. Marin said that all will be able to be vaccinated regardless of immigration status.

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