Efforts to vaccinate farmworkers hindered by eligibility
By Max Bayer
U.S. vaccination efforts picking up speed
As the Biden administration expands vaccine supply across the country, a federal program aimed at vaccinating agricultural workers has hit a roadblock in states where they aren't eligible, elevating concerns that vulnerable workers are being put on the backburner.
Federally funded health centers, which serve more than 1 million agricultural workers nationwide, have played a key role in inoculating farmers. These centers also serve a significantly larger percentage of people of color compared to other facilities — a trend that's reflected in vaccine administration, according to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation.