The North American Meat Institute, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation and the National Association of Wheat Growers are among the more than 275 founding organizations of the COVID-19 Community Corps – a nationwide, grassroots network of local voices who have come together to encourage Americans to get vaccinated.

“As a founding member of the national COVID-19 Community Corps, the Meat Institute is proud to partner with HHS and leaders across America to support vaccine information and access for the 500,000 meat and poultry workers who keep food on Americans’ tables and our farm economy working," said Meat Institute president and CEO Julie Anna Potts. Meat and poultry workers are eligible to receive vaccines in 44 states, according to the Food and Environment Reporting Network, but increased supplies and distribution are needed.

The Community Corps is comprised of trusted voices in communities across the country, and the Biden administration will regularly share updated public health information and resources for them to use with their communities to help get friends, family, and followers vaccinated. This effort will mobilize health professionals, scientists, community organizations, faith leaders, businesses, rural stakeholders, civil rights organizations, sports leagues and athletes, and Americans from all walks of life to become leaders within their own communities to help get friends, family, and neighbors vaccinated. A full list of founding members is available on the Health and Human Services website.

Nearly $10 billion is targeted to increasing vaccine access and confidence in hard-hit vulnerable communities, including $3 billion of CDC funding to support outreach efforts in the states through community-based organizations and trusted community leaders. HHS also announced $250 million in minority health grants to increase vaccine uptake in minority communities, and CDC has provided $255 million in awards to community and civic groups for vaccine outreach.

Anyone can sign up to join the COVID-19 Community Corps. Learn more at https://wecandothis.hhs.gov/covidcommunitycorps.

The HHS public education efforts are being co-chaired by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Drs. Francis Collins, Anthony Fauci, Marcella Nunez-Smith, and Rochelle Walensky. Vice President Kamala Harris is championing the effort from the White House.

Sources: North American Meat Institute, Health and Human Services, American Farm Bureau Federation, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.