Tyson Foods is requiring its U.S. employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The directive applies to the company's chicken processing plant in Wilkesboro, where vaccination rates have been low so far.
Just 35% of employees at the facility have been vaccinated, according to Tyson. That's despite the company offering multiple onsite vaccination clinics since February.
The virus hit the plant hard last year, with hundreds of employees getting infected. Other outbreaks led to Tyson plant shutdowns in states including Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska.
Nationwide, about half of Tyson's employees have already gotten their doses. The new mandate requires office workers to get vaccinated before October 1. Other team members have until November 1. Exceptions may be granted for employees with certain medical issues or religious objections.
The company says frontline team members who get their shots will receive a $200 bonus.
According to a press release, the move will make Tyson the largest U.S. food company to require vaccinations for its entire workforce.
About 3,000 people are employed at the company's Wilkesboro plant.