FDA has been doing what we can to support a safe and ample food supply, but that would not be possible without millions of men and women working in food and agriculture jobs. Day in and day out, they have answered the call as essential workers in support of the food supply. We thank them.  

This page has information for the food and agriculture sector about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the FDA, benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, and the availability of vaccines in your community. 

• FDA'S Role
• Communication Toolkit from (HHS) 
• Communication Toolkit from (CDC)
• Protect Workers, Families, Coworkers and the Community
• Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine from CDC
• Meetings & Webinar Recordings
• Questions & Answers

FDA’s Role

The FDA’s authority includes authorizing or approving COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States. Find out where to get a vaccine on CDC’s Webpage COVID-19 Vaccine: Helps protect you from getting COVID-19.

Learn more from the FDA about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.  Fact sheets are available in more than 25 languages. 

HHS's Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers in Agriculture 

The HHS We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign is a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing.

Through a nationwide network of trusted messengers and consistent, fact-based public health messaging, the campaign helps the public make informed decisions about their health and COVID-19, including steps to protect themselves and their communities. The effort is driven by communication science and provides tailored information for at-risk groups.

The Toolkits for Essential Workers in Agriculture (English and en español) provide access to materials from the CDC, as well as new material to help you communicate with farmworkers on the latest COVID-19 prevention and vaccination information:

User Guide for Essential Workers in Agriculture Toolkit (Full Toolkit)

Important Topics: 

• How to Share Housing With Other Field Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• How to Store and Wash Masks
• Protect Yourself Against COVID-19 in Shared Housing 
• Protection for Agricultural Field Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Take Care of Yourself and Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 Graphic for Twitter
• Remember to Clean Work Tools Graphic for Twitter
• If You Feel Unsafe, You Have the Right to File a Confidential Complaint Graphic for Twitter

Guía sobre cómo usar el kit de herramientas de comunicación para trabajadores esenciales en la agricultura

Temas importantes:

• Cómo convivir con sus compañeros del campo durante la pandemia del COVID-19
• Cómo lavar y cuidar las mascarillas reutilizables
• Protéjase contra el COVID-19 en las viviendas compartidas
• Protección para los trabajadores del campo durante la pandemia del COVID-19
• ¡Cuídate y ayude a frenar la propagación del COVID-19! (para Twitter)
• Recuerda limpiar tus herramientas de trabajos (para Facebook e Instagram)
• Si no te sientes seguro, tienes el derecho de presentar una queja confidencial (para Twitter)

CDC’s Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers

The CDC developed a COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers to educate essential workers about vaccinations. Resources for employers include: 

• Workplace Vaccination Program
• Vaccine Mandates & Exceptions
• FAQs for Employers [PDF - 212 KB]
• How to Start Promoting Vaccines
• Resources to Communicate with Your Employees
• Flyers & Posters
• Printable Stickers

The materials can be used virtually or printed and shared.

Protect Workers, Families, Coworkers and the Community

As the vaccine supply increases, the FDA encourages the leadership and management of food facilities to support worker vaccinations. 

When an essential worker gets a COVID-19 vaccine, they protect themselves, their families, co-workers, and their communities. Healthy workers help to ensure the availability of a safe and plentiful food supply.

Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine from CDC

• Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
• Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
• Getting Ready for Your COVID-19 Vaccine/How Do I Get a Vaccine?
• COVID-19 Vaccines and Allergic Reactions
• What to Expect at Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
• What to Expect After Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine

Meetings & Webinar Recordings

Adult Vaccine Access Coalition/United Farm Workers Webinar

Guests and panelists including Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Janet Woodcock and Director of the FDA Center for Biologics Education and Research, Dr. Peter Marks, discuss vaccine safety, effectiveness, and confidence.

Questions & Answers 

How can I get access to COVID-19 vaccines for my food and agriculture sector employees?

Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is currently limited, CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. CDC’s recommendations are based on those of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts. According to the CDC’s recommendations, Food and Agriculture workers are included in Phases 1B (food and agricultural workers, and grocery store workers) and 1C (food service workers). 

While CDC makes the recommendations, each state has its own plan for which groups of people will be vaccinated first. You can contact your state health department for more information on its plan for COVID-19 vaccination.

The goal is for everyone to be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination easily as soon as large quantities of vaccine are available. As the vaccine supply increases, more groups will be added to receive vaccination. Learn more about CDC recommendations for who should get vaccinated first.